Minister Usamate to look at contracts of local seasonal workers
Jone Usamate has reassured local seasonal workers that they would look into contractual matters that relate to them. The Minister for Employment Opportunities, Productivity and Industrial Relations, was responding to questions raised by stakeholders of the National Union of Hospitality, Catering and Tourism Industry during the consultation in Nadi Bay Resort in Nadi yesterday.
Mr Usamate said in order for them to get a better perspective, they needed to fully understand the law, which fell under the Employment Regulation Promulgation Act for seasonal workers to help address their concern.
“We are still looking into the contracts that deal with seasonal workers and the duration of employment which currently is not covered in the ERP act,” he said. “We must first fully understand the law in order for us to look into it.”
National Union of Hospitality, Catering and Tourism Industry Organiser Maciu Latabua argued: “In the Employment Relation Promulgation there are casual workers and permanent workers, we are focused on seasonal workers that are employed by hotels. “We are concerned on how these seasonal workers who have worked in continuous of service, on whether they are deemed to be permanent workers. “These workers are being victimized and they have no guarantee and security.”
Raffe Hotels and Resorts Director of Human Resource and Training, Lily Wong clarified the procedures that were associated with seasonal workers who had worked past their contractual agreement and the job securities of these workers.
“If they do work beyond the 12 months then they automatically become permanent but what we do ensure is that we safeguard ourselves in that situation we usually give 11 months contract and the staff goes off for three months usually during low period,” she said.