Fiji resumes work on new National Employment Policy with ILO support

The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations of Fiji, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has organized a half-day workshop in Suva to engage stakeholders in the development of a new National Employment Policy (NEP). This policy will be Fiji’s second NEP, following the initial one adopted in 2018. The workshop builds upon previous discussions on potential NEP priorities held in 2022.

In his opening remarks, Lui Mario, Director of the National Employment Centre under the Ministry of Employment, emphasized the government's dedication to this policy. He stated, “Discussions on the NEP review have been ongoing since 2021. With the government's support and Cabinet endorsement, we are committed to seeing this through.”

Fiji’s employer and worker representatives highlighted the essential role of social partners in the NEP's development and implementation. Christian Viegelahn, Employment Specialist at the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, remarked, “The ILO is pleased to see the Government of Fiji continue this crucial work. Employment is key to growth and prosperity, and a thriving economy depends on a skilled and motivated workforce with ample opportunities for decent employment. The NEP will play a pivotal role in ensuring this for Fiji.”

Workshop participants, including representatives from various government departments, ministries, social partners, and civil society, discussed several priority areas such as skills development, education, the empowerment of persons with disabilities, and the role of digitalization in promoting employment.

The next steps include bilateral and focus group discussions with stakeholders, as well as a follow-up workshop to further develop Fiji’s second NEP.

The workshop was funded through the UN Joint Programme on Advancing the SDGs by Improving Livelihoods and Resilience via Economic Diversification and Digital Transformation, supported by the SDG Fund.