Corporations should not dictate State policy.
Admission by the Air Pacific CEO of their role in drafting the Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree is cause for alarm and CCF emphasizes that the adherence to good governance principles are to be upheld if the Bainimarama government is indeed committed to genuine consultation, inclusiveness and accountability.
“CCF reiterates that while the ENIE decree flouts ILO convention and articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the equally worrying issue is the level of influence exclusive group of companies and individuals can have in imposing law reform” says CEO Reverend Akuila Yabaki.
“This level of intervention, to the extent of design, draft and payment and then promulgation by the State means that the government not only lacks any form of legal independence but does not consider the necessary processes of good governance as a relevant and important feature of the reform.”
“CCF urges the government to also take onboard the ILO recommendation to initiate a process of dialogue with employers’ organizations and trade unions with a view of addressing these concerns.”
“In a time when the nation prepares to move towards constitutional and electoral development, it would be prudent to allow democratic process to start taking form. There are always means to engage in face to face dialogue where all parties can put aside their differences and put the interest of the workers at the forefront.”
“It seems that the intention of the decree is to remove political influence in the trade union movement and CCF stresses that this must not be done without first considering the views and plight of the workers.”
“We cannot have a situation in which corporations dictate State policy. The precedent set by the Bainimarama Government with Air Pacific will have far-reaching ramifications, particularly as we approach the issue of mining, coastal reclamation and environmental protection.”
The Bainimarama government must reaffirm to the people of Fiji that the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability, as outlined in pillar three of the Peoples Charter for Change, is upheld as one of the key ways forward for Fiji.