Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Holds Talanoa Session with Employers and Lautoka Chamber of Commerce

Lautoka, Fiji – The Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Honourable Agni Deo Singh held a Talanoa Session with the group Employers and the Lautoka Chamber of Commerce today at the Lautoka City Council Chamber. During the session, the Minister discussed a number of pressing issues including employment creation, labor laws, labor mobility, and sustainable employment environments.

The Minister emphasized that the Fijian government is committed to listening to the needs and concerns of its citizens and is dedicated to creating sustainable employment opportunities for all Fijians. He also encouraged the business community to play an active role in supporting the government’s efforts in this regard.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of good employer-employee relationships and announced that the government will be offering incentives to encourage such relationships. Additionally, he announced the establishment of a committee to review the Employment Relations Act, with the possibility of amending labor laws in the future.

Another major issue discussed during the Talanoa Session was labor mobility. The Minister acknowledged that many Fijians are leaving the country to seek employment opportunities elsewhere and emphasized the importance of providing training and skill development opportunities to keep Fijians employed in Fiji. The Minister announced that the government is planning to open up technical colleges to provide training for Fijians so that they can be trained and skilled in a range of industries.

The President of the Lautoka Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Wasu Pillay, also spoke at the Talanoa Session and shared what the Chamber is currently doing and planning to do in support of the government’s employment and productivity goals. Mr. Pillay expressed his readiness to work with the government and the business community to create a more productive and sustainable employment environment in Fiji.

In closing, the Minister urged employers and employees to reach out to the government if they have any issues or concerns related to employment and productivity. He reiterated that only through communication and collaboration can Fiji continue to make progress towards a brighter future for all its citizens.