Geneva, Switzerland – Fiji’s tripartite delegation engaged in a bilateral meeting with Ms. Asada Miyakawa, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific region, on Monday, June 12, 2023. The meeting, held in Geneva, Switzerland, focused on key areas of collaboration between Fiji and the ILO.
Central to the discussions were talks surrounding the provision of legal drafting assistance for the review of Fiji’s labour laws. Recognizing the urgency of this matter, Fiji aims to complete the review by September, in preparation for the proposed visit of the ILO Direct Contact Mission to Fiji in October. The delegation sought the ILO’s expertise and support in ensuring a comprehensive and timely review process.
In addition, the meeting addressed the need for specialist training in occupational health and safety and labour compliance. Fiji expressed its interest in partnering with the ILO to facilitate such training programs, enabling the country to enhance its capacity and improve standards in these crucial areas.
The delegation also explored the potential for Fiji’s participation in ILO internship programs, which could contribute to addressing compliance and standards requirements. Furthermore, they discussed the possibility of secondment to the ILO’s regional office, strengthening the collaboration between Fiji and the ILO.
Mr. Agni Deo Singh, Fiji’s Employment Minister and head of the delegation, expressed sincere gratitude to the ILO for its steadfast support in recent years, particularly when Fiji faced challenges related to the breach of certain ILO Conventions. The tripartite partners collectively conveyed their appreciation to the ILO Office for the Pacific Island Countries in Suva for its unwavering assistance in research, technical guidance, education and training, funding support, and strategic direction for Fiji’s tripartite machinery.
Ms. Miyakawa, the ILO Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific region, advised the Fiji Government to leverage regional solidarity through institutions such as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). She encouraged Fiji to capitalize on the regional architecture to address employment-related issues and promote dialogue within the region. Ms. Miyakawa also noted that while Fiji had initiated a peer-to-peer review through PIFS, there is room for further improvement in terms of standards and social dialogue. She emphasized the importance of Fiji’s leadership in social dialogue for the Pacific and the need to enhance “just transition” at the sub-regional level.
In response, the tripartite partners acknowledged the Employment Minister as a champion for social dialogue and emphasized that addressing labour issues requires mutual cooperation and good faith, which are critical elements for fostering trust and achieving social justice.
 Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific region, on Monday, June 12, 2023.){kind=link}