the employer newsletter - issue 1

8/6/2019 The Employer Newsletter - Issue 1

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the status and role we play innation building to be the mostrepresentative of the privatesector.

Being the NPSO we have wit-nessed growth in our member-

ship base including governmentstatutory organizations, smallentrepreneurs, SMEs and microenterprises. This increase inmembership reflects in theincrease in our subscriptionbase.

FCEF is the Source of Informa-tion, Advice, Training and As-sistance to be the Employer of Choice.

FCEF celebrated 50 years of Shaping the Future of Businessfor a better Fiji in October2010. This also saw a Resolu-tion passed by the members thatthe former FEF, be now calledthe Fiji Commerce & Employ-ers Federation.

The renaming of FCEF will allowa more business and commerceoriented image which will assistin addressing most of the cur-rent perception. There is defi-nitely an opportunity to reign innew members.

FCEF has established itself as thepremier employer organization

representing the interest of employers in Fiji. From aconsultative advisory roledealing primarily with Indus-trial Relations and as defenseagainst the trade union move-ment FCEF is now expandedits role by representing thecollective voice of membersin all industries on a widerange of business concerns.This is now the primary corebusiness of FCEF.

FCEF now Fijis NPSO underthe umbrella of the PacificIslands Private Sector Organi-zation, is a logical step given

FCEF now Fijis National Private Sector Organization

From the Kona Office

Welcome to FCEFs 1st ever news-letter!

It is our intention to have quar-terly newsletters which wouldinform and highlight employ-ment issues that affect businessin Fiji. We also will feature keyarticles of intent for our interna-tional partners the InternationalLabour Organization and theInternational Organization of Employers.

We trust that you will enjoyreading our newsletter and willcontribute to its future publica-tions.

In this 1st issue we will be high-lighting our TOPEX Conference

which is scheduled for the 16 17September at the Sofitel Fiji Resort& Spa in Nadi. This is a NOT TOMISS event as the topical issuesare current and speakers will bedrawn from both locally andabroad.

FCEF led by President, Mr. DigbyBossley, Vice President West, Mr.Babu Bhai Chawda and myself recently conducted a courtesy visitto our West members; and themembers expressed their satisfac-tion with the much improved ser-vice now being delivered by FCEF.

This was a great opportunity tomeet directly with our Westernmembers and hear first hand the

issues and problems they arefacing. We anticipate to havethese visits as a continualexercise.

Issue 1, July 2011

The Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation

The Employer Newsletter

...providing workplace information...

Inside this issue:

FCEF now the NPSO 1

From President & CEO 1

Council Reports 2Editorial 3

Health & Safety 3

ILC Report, Geneva 3

Upcoming Events 4

Nesbitt HazelmanChief Executive

Message from the

FCEF President, Digby Bossley

On behalf of the FCEF Board Iwelcome you to our firstNewsletter

The Federation has grownconsiderably over the past fewyears and as a service organiza-tion we remain committed toprovide assistance and advice toall our Members. Please feelfree to contact me, or otherBoard Members and the Secre-tariat if you have any concerns.

This is your Newsletter and Ilook forward to your contribu-tions as we move forward.


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Chairperson Retailers Council Mr. Hamendra Prasad, Courts Fiji Ltd

It is indeed a pleasure to be part of the firstNewsletter of FCEF. The Retailers Council

was formed a year ago. The council meets ona monthly basis to discuss concerns in theRetailing Industry in Fiji. Over the last yearthe Council has discussed a lot of importantand critical issues concerning the RetailingIndustry and this has been channeled to therelevant authorities for their perusal and deci-sion.

Joining the FCEF has enabled the retailers tohave access to a lot of important informationconcerning the industry and also general in-

formation on other sectors of business in theCountry. We also have benefited a lot fromthe Public Programs and Initiatives organizedby the Secretariat.

As we enter into our 2nd year, the focus willbe more on the pressing issues faced by theretailers in this challenging economy and en-sure that we have the best environment forall the stakeholders in the retailing industry.

Chairperson Professional & FinancialCouncil Mr. Paul Dunk, Marsh Ltd

Recently the Council has witnessed an in-crease in the number of attendees, some forthe first time. The meetings are also nowattracting a cross section of members work-ing in Financial and Professional Services In-dustries. Our discussions are centredaround :-

Risk Management Workshop be con-ducted at the 2011 TOPEX but covering theareas of Natural Disasters and Business Re-covery after a loss. The council agrees and

has offered to organise this again and theBoard has been notified accordingly.

VAT on Insurance The Council was ad-vised that whilst this has been in force sinceAugust 2010 negotiations are taking placebetween FIRCA and the Insurance Industry toclarify any grey areas.

Capital Gains Tax The new Decree wasdiscussed and a verbal summary provided byLisa Apted of KPMG which was very useful toattendees.

Reserve Bank and Off Shore InsurancePlacements Members were advised on theRBFs tightening stand on these placements andthe strict observance of the procedure for re-quests to place with overseas insurers withFinancial Penalties for breach.

Speakers It was agreed the Council wouldlook to invite guest speakers to future Meetings.These would be for approx 15 minutes.

Chairperson Human Resources Council Ms. Sala Nadakuitavuki

The Employer Newsletter will certainly pro-mote the idea that employers are of the viewthat the nation need to develop and implementholistic human resources policies to ensure amore productive and cost competitive work-force.

The HR Council is said to be the biggest Councilof FCEF and the meetings are normally wellattended by the members; The Council has triedto rotate our meetings to accommodate thegrowing number of membership which shows

service improvement at FCEF.

The next meet of the HRC on the 2nd of Au-gust will be held at the Natural Waters of VitiLtd in Yaqara. This meeting will see a presenta-tion from the International Labour Organizationon Business Disability Forum.

Chairperson Manufacturing Council Mr. Kalpesh Solanki

Like the other Councils, the ManufacturingCouncil membership has seen an increase in itsmembership. The Council held a workshop todevelop a Strategic Plan which was endorsed bythe Board. The Council will contact and consultthe relevant Government authorities to seek endorsement and hopefully included in the 2012National Budget so the Manufacturing sectormakes a big boost.

Made in Fiji & Buy Fiji The Government hadallocated a budget of $200,000 for promotion

and marketing of this initiative in the NationalBudget 2011. The 5 working groups namely;Incentives, Promotions, Logos, Advertisingand Criteria had completed their work andhanded their reports to the Ministry andwhich will be circulated to the stakeholders.

Chairperson Tourism & TransportCouncil Mr. Jim Sherlock

Tourist arrivals are picking up taking intoconsideration the natural disasters in Japan,Australia and New Zealand. The declaredpolicy for Tourism Fiji is Brand Marketing.Fiji is in demand as it is sucking traffic out of the other Pacific Island countries and hasbecome a hot destination. The Industry also

has to be tactical in order to increase theyields.

Important point to note is that the Continen-tal Airlines will suspend its services from 25thSeptember 2011.

Members have applauded the effort of LTA toimpose the Dress Code for PSV drivers. TheNational Training & Productivity Centre hascompleted the Bus Drivers Standard whichwas circulated amongst stakeholders. Afterthe approval from LTA, it will be incorpo-

rated in the National Qualifications Frame-work.

Chairperson Mining & QuarryingCouncil, Mr. Harvie Probert

The Council has requested that the Depart-ment of Lands (Land Use) and the Depart-ment be invited to the next Council Meetingto sort the queries of the council as theCouncil believes there should be a clear man-date for the bonds; and also who is responsi-ble for enforcement.

Council Member, Aurum Exploration finallygot license to explore. While most memberscontinue work on their sites. Some of themembers are still identifying and exploringdrilling targets, but progress on work in themining and quarrying sector is going fairlywell.

Council Vice Chairperson, Mr, George Niu-matawalu will be relocating to PNG/ Austra-

Council Reports FCEF Members may attend any of thefollowing 6 Councils!

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Issue 1, July 2011


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Bula and we welcome you to our first issueof The Employer Newsletter. This will be aquarterly newsletter for employers. Theaim is to keep employers up to date withdevelopments in training and research, newlegislations which may affect them, and de-tails of how FCEF can help.The Employer Newsletter also featuresgood news stories about the employers wework with, and is a great opportunity formembers to share best practice with theircontemporaries.

The Employer Newsletter is inviting membersto contribute articles on best practices, hu-man resources and industrial relations forquarterly publication. The articles, whichshould be between 600 1,200 words inlength, will be credited with the authors by -line and company name/ logo. Members canemail their articles to [email protected] further details call Suka on 3313 188.

Editorial

As a member state of the InternationalLabour Organization (ILO), Fiji is obligedunder the ILO constitution to send a tri-partite delegation to the annual ILO con-ference. Cabinet endorsed Fijis participa-tion at the 100th session of the Interna-tional Labour Conference which was heldat Geneva in Switzerland from Tuesday,May 31 to Friday June 17. The decisionwas based on a submission by the Ministerfor Labour, Industrial Relations and Em-ployment Filipe Bole. Bole led the tripar-tite delegation to the conference. FCEFwas represented by Mr. Kalpesh Solanki,

FCEF Board Member and Managing Directorof Ranjit Garments. The minister, however,attended the last week of the conference toaddress the plenary session after a courtesymeeting with the ILO Director-General, Mr.

Juan Somavia. As required, the tripartitedelegates participated in all the committeesthroughout the conference to develop anddiscuss responses to the various policy mat-ters on the agenda before the conclusionsand recommendations of these committeeswere tabled for discussions and voting in theplenary sessions during the last week, whenministers and other key delegates addressedthe conference.

Labour Minister Filipe Bole has appealed tothe international community for support of his Government's plans to bring about a

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Issue 1, July 2011

better society.

In his address to the 100th sessionof the International Labour Confer-ence in Geneva, Mr. Bole said Fijiwas committed to building a societyof "equal citizenry".

Mr. Bole said the Government wasseeking "more understanding fromthe international community to

remove all forms of social, eco-nomic and political discriminations".

He also thanked all countries thathave understood Fiji in its commit-ment to build a modern Fiji withequal citizenry.

Health & SafetyThe ILO organized the World OSH Dayat the Holiday Inn on April 28th for thetripartite partners; the event also wit-nessed the signing of an MOU betweenFiji and PNG for technical assistance byMOL Fiji to the PNG counterparts

The Secretariat has organized a series of workshops on the HIV/ AIDS Decree andOHS Awareness for Workplace Repre-sentatives & Committees Modules 1 & 2for members in Central & the WesternDivision.

The Draft National Code of Practice onOccupational Noise has been sent to allmembers for their comments so the Se-cretariat can compile a collective submis-sion.

The Ministry of Labour has sent an invita-tion to FCEF members who are interestedto attend the series of Workshops onHIV/AIDS in the Workplace Train theTrainers Program.

.. Safety is a cheap and

effective insurance policy...

FCEF at the 100th session of theInternational Labour

Conference, Geneva 2011

TOPEX 2011

Sustainable Business Responsible Employers

Scheduled to be held at the Sofitel FijiResort & Spa on Denarau Island onthe 16th and the 17th of September ;

this Annual get-together of Senior Execu-tives, is set to be another successful FCEFevent. The committee have finalized thethematic areas which will see both over-seas and local speakers facilitating.

TOPEX 2011 Thematic Areas:

Productivity

Labour Market Trends

Risk Management

Trade Relations

Governance

Social Responsibility

Participation at the Conference is not onlyset for members, invitations will also besent out to non-members and other re-gional national private sector organiza-tions.

Save the Date


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VISION

To be Fijis premier employers

representativepromoting goodgovernance and

leadership, excellenceand innovation that

shapes and enhancesthe business

environment.

Fiji Commerce & EmployersFederation

42 Gorrie StSuva

Phone: 3313 188Fax: 3302 183

E-mail: [email protected]:www.fcef.com.fj

Get the essential skills toboost business perform-ance

Improve business effi-ciency and increase profits

Help staff grow in motiva-tion and confidence

FCEF also alerts members ontraining available through APO,ILO Conferences and meet-ings; and other overseas train-ing providers with fully fundedopportunities; members areurged to send in their nomina-tions for relevant programs.

Over the last months, ourfocus had been on the CrimesDecree in areas of Good Gov-ernance, a specific session forHR Practitioners was organ-

Training your workforce is animportant commitment. Ittakes time and money, so youwant to know you're getting aquality product.At FCEF, quality comes right atthe top of our priorities andwe strive constantly to furtherimprove our services to you.

Our Training Calendar sets outwhat you can expect when you

engage in training with FCEF.The Training Calendar initiativehelps employers to invest inskills, giving employees theability, confidence and motiva-tion to deliver real businessresults.The training can helpemployers:

ized so they can incorporatethe provisions of the decree totheir company policies; HIV/AIDS Decree, ERP 2007

This year, the HR Council hadendorsed a Training Commit-tee to assist the Secretariatwith its Annual Training Calen-dars and also vet applicationsfor overseas programs.

PIPSO on the other hand have

been assisting the Secretariatwith funding of certain pro-

jects.

UPCOMING TRAINING

FCEF plans a series of work-

shops on the Companies De-

cree as soon as it comes into

effect.

Training & Development

Activities over the quarter!

Conferences Meetings

Workshops Off the cuff

the employer newsletter - issue 1

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