Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) has come a long way from its humble colonial era beginnings.

This was the message made by FCEF chief executive officer, Kameli Batiweti, during the celebration of the organisation 60 diamond jubilee, held in Suva yesterday.

Mr Batiweti said having registered in 1960 as a private company named Fiji Employers Consultative Association (FECA), it changed its memorandum and articles of association and its name in 1991 to Fiji Employers Federation.

The name then changed to Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation in 2010, considered to be more appropriate to its activities and style of operation, he said.

“The members of FCEF Board and I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the dedication, enthusiasm and insight of everyone who has been involved in inspiring FCEF to achieving this feat,” he said.

“From the early visionary leaders to the exemplary staff, who have toiled since the historical developments in the country that FCEF has been part of.

“We thank you for your commitment in making us the premier service provider to employers today.

“We cherish and reminisce our past and rejoice in our present successes as we turn 60 years old.”

FCEF president, Sandeep Chauhan, said the determined and creative thinkers had built the foundation of the organisation.

In congratulating the members and affiliates of FCEF, Mr Chauhan said it was a proud moment for everyone to celebrate with this historic organisation.

“To all our members and the nine councils, we thank you for your continued support and we assure you that we will go beyond the horizons to offer the best we can in order to help you enhance the service you provide to our fellow Fijians.

“FCEF will maintain the strong relationship that we have with everyone and we will work tremendously hard to further enhance our services to suit your needs,” Mr Chauhan added.

Sitting from left: Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) vice president Eseta Nadakuitavuki, FCEF former board member Poate Mata, FCEF president Sandeep Chauhan, FCEF trustees Jenny Seeto and Hafiz Khan. Standing second from left: FCEF former CEO Nesbitt Hazelman, Digby Bossley (former president), David Aidney (former president), FCEF CEO Kameli Batiweti, International Labour Organisation director Matin Karimli along with FCEF members during the organisation’s 60th anniversary in Suva on September 5, 2020. Photo: Lusiana Tuimaisala

International Labour Organisation

International Labour Organisation director, Matin Karimli, said 60 years is a milestone achievement and is a living proof of sustainability for any business.

This he said includes;

• six decades of dialogue and partnership with Government and workers;
• six decades of promoting good governance;
• six decades of advocating leadership excellence;
• six decades of lobbying for business sense, and;
• six decades of striving to be Fiji’s premier employers’ representative.

He stressed the positive impact of employers on the tripartite dialogue.

Since its founding, Mr Karimli said, ILO’s tripartite partnership of government, workers’ and employers’ representatives has pursued its mandate of social justice and fundamental principles and rights in the world of work.

“For the last 100 years, ILO has contributed significantly towards improving the world of work by setting 190 labour standards.

“ILO tripartite constituents are always called to support an enabling legal and institutional environment to promote effective social dialogue because social dialogue plays a crucial role in designing policies to promote social justice.”

He said ILO believes that social dialogue is the best way to solving all labour issues and is useful for productivity and social and economic development.

“We all know that when dialogue fails, everything becomes difficult.

“As we venture into the future and the future of work, social dialogue becomes even more crucial.”

He said this in turn, requires independent, strong and representative social partners.

“Employers are best placed to seize opportunities to ensure that no one is left behind, because every child that grows up aspires to work in a safe workplace, in a job that is secure, pays enough and allows him or her to progress in their career. “

Mr Karimli congratulated FCEF on its 60th anniversary.

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