We call upon our tripartite partners to work with us for the betterment of all workers, says Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) general secretary Agni Deo Singh.

Mr Singh said this during the FTU’s World Labour Day celebration yesterday.

“FTU calls upon tripartite partners to continue working for the betterment of all workers and to continue negotiations,” he said.

“We are happy that the rights of our workers under the amended Employment Relations Promulgation (ERP) have been restored.

“Our social partners have engaged in social dialogue to bring about amendments to the ERP to make workers’ working conditions better.”

Mr Singh said the significance of Labour Day has considerably diminished in Fiji and FTU believes that a concerted effort must be put in to restore workers’ lost rights, especially the right to seek redress and the right to grievance procedures.

“Working men are the foundation of any society.

“Our workers need to be treated with dignity and the working environment must be conducive so that the workers are able to perform to the best of his or her abilities.”

Mr Singh said FTU called upon all employers to ensure that the rights of workers were respected and fully restored and that they engaged with the union in collective bargaining in good faith.

“All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.

“Poorly paid labour is inefficient labour, the world over. Workers want pride and joy in doing good work, a sense of making or doing something beautiful or useful and to be treated with dignity and respect,” he said.

Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti.

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