The Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF) today made its official in-person submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs in Suva, outlining key recommendations on the Employment Relations Bill, Number 27 of 2025, to promote a fair, practical, and balanced approach to labour reform in Fiji.

Earlier this year, FCEF announced that it would not endorse the draft Employment Relations Bill due to concerns of omission and lack of due diligence. In August, the Federation confirmed its position and advised that it would provide comprehensive comments on the draft Bill tabled in Parliament for the first and second readings. Today’s submission marks the next step in that process.

In his address to the Committee, FCEF Chief Executive Officer Edward Bernard acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Workplace Relations; and the Solicitor-General’s Office in bringing the Bill to its current stage. Noting significant improvements in the legal drafting and the removal of excessive penalties and absolute liability provisions that threatened business leadership accountability.

However, Mr Bernard noted that despite these improvements, the Bill still falls short of addressing the fundamental, strategic, and developmental challenges within Fiji’s employment landscape, adding grave concerns about the scale of changes — with 190 proposed amendments across 266 clauses — introduced without a guiding policy framework to justify such an extensive overhaul.

“This Bill represents progress, but it remains incomplete,” said Mr Bernard. “It is essential that government establishes a clear, evidence-based policy direction to guide them in reforms of this magnitude. Without that, we risk amending almost an entire Act without understanding whether those changes truly achieve our national development goals or strengthen Fiji’s labour market.”

The Federation highlighted several areas of concern, including:

• The absence of clear policy direction aligned to the National Development Plan (NDP);
• The lack of provisions to address the skills and labour shortage currently affecting key industries;
• Failure to incorporate modern labour practices for the gig economy, outsourcing, and remote work;
• Limited incentives to promote productivity, flexibility, and innovation at enterprise level; and
• The omission of specific measures to enhance employment opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
  
  

FCEF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the modernisation of the Employment Relations Act, provided that reforms remain balanced, practical, and grounded in economic reality.

“As responsible employers, we support alignment with international labour standards, but Fiji must be careful not to overreach. As a developing economy, we must adopt standards that are sustainable and conducive to investment, productivity, and job creation,” said Mr Bernard.

The Standing Committee will continue to receive public submissions from October 14 – November 12 2025 before tabling its report to Parliament later this year. To this effect, FCEF has launched Phase Two of its Advocacy and Lobbying Strategy, encouraging members across Fiji to participate in the ongoing public consultation process. FCEF’s MSME Council and Women Entrepreneurs & Business Council (WEBC) will also present their own submissions to the Committee on 20 October 2025.

“We encourage all employers and private sector representatives to actively engage in the Standing Committee’s public consultations,” added Mr Bernard. “This is a critical opportunity to shape legislation that impacts how we work, employ, and grow as a nation.”

FCEF will continue to meet with members nationwide to share updates, provide guidance on preparing submissions, and ensure the collective business voice remains represented at all stages of the review process.

To access FCEF’s Position Paper on the Employment Relations Bill, please use this link:

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For enquiries, please contact:

Ms Gaylene Kamali
Advocacy & Corporate Communications, Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation
T: +679 331 3188| M: +679 998 3098 | E: macc@fcef.com.fj |

About Fiji Commerce Employers Federation:

The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) is a prominent business organization representing the interests of the private sector in Fiji. Established in 1960, FCEF plays a crucial role in advocating for policies that promote business growth, economic development, and job creation in the country.

As a collective voice for businesses, FCEF engages with the government, policymakers, and other stakeholders to address key issues affecting the business environment in Fiji. These issues may include labor regulations, taxation, trade policies, and infrastructure development.

FCEF also plays a vital role in promoting responsible business practices, including adherence to labour standards, environmental sustainability, and corporate governance principles. By championing ethical and sustainable business practices, FCEF contributes to the long-term growth and resilience of Fiji’s economy.

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