AGM TO REVEAL

Big change at FCEF, says Batiweti

The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) will host its 60th annual general meeting tomorrow in Suva, in what has described as a milestone achievement.

Top on the agenda is the presentation and adoption of the revised articles of association, said FCEF chief executive officer Kameli Batiweti.

The revised articles of association do away with duplication and make the document more relevant, he said.

“It’s a big change from what it was to what it is now,” Mr Batiweti said.

He said the review was an evolving exercise by the board of the then Fiji Employers’ Consultative Association, which was now FCEF.

“This year, the current board and a trustee agreed to do a full review of the articles of association,” Mr Batiweti said.

“This process started in 2019 when the first change was the term of the president.

“The president can now serve two terms of two years.

“This year’s process started in May, 2020, and was completed in early September, 2020.”

Mr Batiweti said the full board and a trustee were involved throughout the entire process, with legal assistance and guidance from Munro Leys lawyers. “The finalised copy was emailed to all members in early September, 2020, for their review to allow them to ask questions or provide inputs/comments before the AGM,” he said.

Three new board members would be announced following the meeting, as seats were vacated by members whose term expired, Mr Batiweti said. The AGM will commence at 3pm at FCEF headquarters along Gorrie Street, and is expected to draw 70 members.

Photo: Lusiana Tuimaisala From left: Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) chief executive officer Kameli Batiweti, former FCEF chief executive officer Nesbitt Hazelman, FCEF president Sandeep Chauhan, and International Labour Organisation director Matin Karimli during the organisation’s 60th anniversary in Suva on September 5, 2020.