Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Fiji (Ratification: 1998)

Other comments on C144

Observation

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Article 5(1) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. The Government provides in its report information on the activities of the Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB), indicating that its membership has been expanded to allow for enhanced inclusiveness and increased representation. The Committee, referring to the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), notes the ITUC’s indication that the worker and employer representatives are chosen by government and not wholly nominated by the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC) and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF). The ERAB is the tripartite forum through which the social partners consult on employment-related issues and advise the Minister of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations. The Government indicates that the ERAB has committed to meet monthly to continue the review of the country’s labour laws to ensure compliance with the ILO Conventions ratified by Fiji. It adds that this forum also presents an opportunity to harness the ERAB mechanism to maintain social dialogue and as a means of implementing real change and labour reform. With respect to matters concerning international labour standards, the Committee notes that tripartite consultations were held with respect to unratified Conventions and Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given (Article 5(1)(c)). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the outcome of tripartite consultations held on each of the matters concerning international labour standards covered by Article 5(1) of the Convention: consultations on replies to questionnaires concerning items on the agenda of the Conference and comments on proposed texts to be discussed at the Conference (Article 5(1)(a)), proposals made to the competent authorities in connection with the submission of instruments adopted by the Conference (Article 5(1)(b)), the re-examination of unratified Conventions and Recommendations to which effect has not yet been given (Article 5(1)(c)), preparation of reports on the application of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(d)), and proposals for the denunciation of ratified Conventions (Article 5(1)(e)). The Government is also requested to continue to provide information on the activities of the Employment Relations Advisory Board with respect to matters covered by the Convention. The Committee further requests the Government to explain the manner in which the representative national workers’ and employers’ organizations have been able to determine their representatives.