ILO Standards Team Meets Fiji Delegation at International Labour Conference

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Standards (ILS) Team met with Fiji’s Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations delegation during the 2025 International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The ILS plays a vital role in setting international minimum standards on labour rights and related issues through conventions and recommendations. It also monitors implementation and provides technical support to member states to promote decent work for all.

Fiji’s delegation, led by Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Hon. Agni Deo Singh, provided updates on the country’s progress in labour law reforms aimed at strengthening the protection of workers’ rights and aligning national legislation with international standards.

“The focus is on enacting and implementing the new law as soon as possible to protect workers’ rights and improve working conditions. The government is confident that the new law will be passed by Parliament,” said Minister Singh.

The delegation also shared developments on the Work Care Bill, designed to promote social justice by supporting injured workers, dependents of deceased workers, and students injured during school activities.

Further, the government reaffirmed its commitment to tackling issues such as forced labour, discrimination, and migrant worker protections. Minister Singh requested continued ILO support, especially in legal drafting, capacity building, and compliance training to strengthen enforcement of international labour standards.

Fiji also signaled its intention to ratify four key ILO Conventions:

C97: Migration for Employment Convention

C143: Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975

C183: Maternity Protection Convention, 2000

C187: Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006

The Fijian delegation also highlighted plans to host the Pacific Employment Conference in September, in collaboration with the ILO.

The regional event will convene tripartite partners from 11 Pacific ILO member states to address issues including labour mobility, employment, climate resilience, social justice, and decent work.

It will also mark the ILO’s 50th Anniversary in the Pacific.

The Fijian Government acknowledged the ILO’s ongoing assistance but emphasized the need for further technical support to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets and address the Pacific region’s unique labour market challenges.