As the International Labour Organization waits for a progress report on the Employment Relations laws in the country, Fiji Trades Union Congress General Secretary Felix Anthony has said the fact is that the government has to amend the proposed law to conform to the ILO conventions.
Anthony said a Commission of Inquiry into Fiji may be ordered in November if the government does not comply with the requirements and does not present a joint report from the government, the unions and the employers to the ILO.
Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has said that a Commission of Inquiry could have a disastrous effect on Fiji.
However, Felix Anthony said the government should just comply with the ILO requirements.
While speaking at the ACP EU meeting in Suva, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said by bringing in the Employment Relations Bill, Fiji has complied with the core ILO conventions.
Sayed-Khaiyum has also raised the issue that some of the unionists in the country continue to be involved in politics.
He said the fact is that the Bill allows workers in listed essential industries to join any trade union.
Felix Anthony said he sees nothing wrong with unionists having a political view.
Anthony said the workers’ representatives disagree with the denial of the right to strike for all essential services and industries as stipulated in the Essential National Industries Decree and incorporated in the Bill, the inclusion of bargaining units from the Essential National Industries Decree into the Bill, and the inclusion of essential services and industries under the decree into the draft Bill.
