There is still a lot of confusion on whether businesses will be allowed to open for normal operations on Saturday as there are differing views on the matter.
The government has said in a statement this morning that Saturday December 25th which is Christmas Day is not a working day after concerns that some employers may insist that their workers clock in on Saturday which is Christmas Day because of the public holiday that follows on Monday, the week after.
The Indian Division of the Methodist Church of Fiji also alleged that some employers have given their workers an ultimatum that if they do not show up at work on Saturday, they will not be paid for the two public holidays on Monday and Tuesday.
Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation CEO Nezbit Hazelman confirmed to Fijivillage that retailers have agreed to open for business on Saturday but for limited hours as December 25th is not a gazetted public holiday.
Hazelman also stressed that no employer can force an employee to work on Christmas Day and if they are issuing ultimatums, then they are breaching the labour laws.
The President of Fiji Retailers Association Himmat Lodhia is also urging employers to be considerate and release their Christian employees this Saturday to attend church services.
He also stressed that no one can be forced to work on Christmas Day although they are of the view that it will be a normal working day.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office Lieutenant Colonel Pio Tikoduadua confirmed earlier today that government will make another statement on the matter to clarify whether businesses will be allowed to open on Christmas Day.
Story by: Roneel Lal
Still confusion over businesses operating on Christmas Day
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