NADI – “The Conference will foster a tripartite approach to addressing labour-related challenges and leveraging growth opportunities in the Pacific region.”
Permanent
Secretary for Civil Service and Public Enterprise Mr.Parmesh Chand made this
statement while opening the 2024 Public Service International (PSI) Oceania
Sub-Regional Advisory Committee Conference (OSRAC) And APREC in Nadi this
morning.
Mr.
Chand stated that the Conference is bringing together 50 participants from six
Pacific Island countries to dialogue and exchange ideas that will improve the
working environment in their respective nations.
“The Conference will be
laser-focused on addressing climate justice, labour migration, insourcing and
fighting privatization, indigenous workers, International Labour standards and
capacity building and organizing,” Mr.Chand said.
He adds that Government has
implemented several mechanisms to address labour migration and other
labour-related challenges within the Civil Service.
“Government
removed contractual conditions and implemented tenure service. Government
implemented a salary adjustment by committing to a pay increase ranging from 7
to 20 percent. Government implemented the Internship and Graduate Trainee
programme for our qualified population to fill in the skills gaps.”
Mr.Chand
revealed that the Ministry of Civil Service is currently reviewing the General
Orders to improve civil servants’ terms and conditions of employment.
The Permanent Secretary stated that
he is confident that the future of work in Fiji looks bright with the
tripartite mechanisms now fully in place and the strategies that will be
implemented in the new National Development Plan.
“Fiji is in a better position to
comply with ILO standards and adhere to best practices,” Mr.Chand reassured.
Youth representatives from member
countries of the Oceania Sub-Regional Advisory Committee Conference (OSRAC) are
also participating at this year’s conference.