Unionists support the amended Employment Relations Act aimed at curbing wage theft. Sailesh Naidu endorsed the proposed measures and emphasized the need for serious repercussions against wage theft. The annual general meeting discussed skills shortages in the banking sector, worsened by a worker exodus. National President Anil Kumar highlighted potential economic challenges from global trade tensions, but also the possibility of favorable trade opportunities for Fiji.
Unionists have expressed their support for reforms introduced in the amended Employment Relations Act (ERA), which addresses the pressing issue of wage theft. Sailesh Naidu, General Secretary of the Finance Sector Managerial Staff Association, emphasized his active role in the amendment process, stating that the union has long been in favor of these changes.
Naidu highlighted the union’s anticipation that the draft Bill will soon be presented to Parliament for legislative approval. He pointed out that wage theft has gained significant attention in the media, and mentioned that neighboring New Zealand enforces stringent regulations against such practices. According to Naidu, the proposed fines in the legislation should be taken seriously to combat wage theft effectively.
During their annual general meeting in Suva, union members explored topics like membership, skills shortages, and working conditions. National President Anil Kumar noted a substantial outflow of skilled workers over the past two years, affecting the banking sector. While some bankers benefited from improved perks due to this exodus, it has led to vacancies in customer-facing roles.
Kumar also addressed the potential economic challenges stemming from the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and its key trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, China, and Europe. He warned that if China faces significant repercussions, it could adversely affect Australia and New Zealand, Fiji’s closest trading partners. Nonetheless, Kumar suggested that these larger economies might provide favorable trade opportunities to smaller nations like Fiji to mitigate the economic impacts of these global disruptions.
In summary, unionists are advocating for the newly proposed amendments in the Employment Relations Act to effectively combat wage theft, driven by the leadership of key figures like Sailesh Naidu. The ongoing dialogue within the union highlights critical issues such as workforce shortages in the banking sector and potential economic repercussions from international trade conflicts. There is cautious optimism about possible trade opportunities for smaller nations arising from these large-scale economic challenges.
Original Source: www.fijitimes.com.fj
