Fiji Leads the Way for Pacific Workers’ Rights

Tomorrow, Fiji will take centre stage as it hosts the Pacific Regional Tripartite Employment Conference 2025 in Wailoaloa, Nadi.

The four-day conference, held in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), brings together labour ministers, permanent secretaries, employers, workers’ organisations, development partners, and other key stakeholders from across the Pacific.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will officially open the conference, which coincides with the ILO’s 50th anniversary in the Pacific.

The theme, “Designing for Disruption: Conference on Decent Work, Climate Change and Security”, highlights the urgent challenges facing Pacific nations and the role of decent work in building resilience.

The event is especially significant as it provides a platform for governments, employers, and workers to collectively address how climate change and regional security affect employment and livelihoods.

The tripartite approach ensures that all voices – from policymakers to employers and workers on the ground – are represented in shaping solutions for the future of work in the Pacific.

According to the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, discussions will focus on fundamental rights at work, social protection, and dialogue, with the aim of promoting fairness, inclusivity, and sustainability in Pacific labour markets.

Some of the sessions will include:

-Fundamental Rights at Work – addressing workplace standards and protections.

-Social Protection and Dialogue – ensuring security for workers and promoting social dialogue as a pillar of resilience.

As the host nation, Fiji is positioning itself as a leader in advancing decent work and protecting workers’ rights in the Pacific.

The outcomes of this conference are expected to influence labour and social protection policies across the region in the years ahead.