Employment ministry negotiating better terms for workers affected by pandemic

The Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations has continued to work tirelessly in negotiating better terms for employees with businesses as Fiji goes through the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Minister Parveen Bala said the ministry at this time was negotiating for workers to be reinstated at minimum hourly rates as per sector. They were also negotiating for some redundant workers to be supplied with groceries for a period of time, apart from their entitlements.

He said in addition to the assistance, Government announced financial support for micro-small and medium enterprises.

“This is taking a proactive approach to protect jobs and taking all Fijians towards recovery by building capacity and resources…building capacity and resources is in fact the basis of the nationwide survey that I will now speak on,” Mr Bala said.

He highlighted that the International Labour Organisation continues to play a crucial role and continued technical and financial support towards the nationwide workplace survey.

“Last Friday, the ministry and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) signed a grant of $77,000 to assist in the rolling-out of the nationwide survey.”

He also said the Government, ILO and their social partners would benefit from this exercise and develop employment related programmes in response to the pandemic. What they learn from the survey is expected to be shared across the Pacific. The ministry has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Statistics to conduct a rapid assessment on the effect of COVID-19 on jobs and businesses.