Water Authority of Fiji to introduce breastfeeding facilities for staff

The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has confirmed it will introduce breastfeeding facilities for its staff, acknowledging that its workplaces have long been male‑dominated and not fully supportive of women employees.

The commitment was made during a parliamentary committee hearing on the proposed Employment Relations (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Parliament this week.

The Bill seeks to strengthen protections for workers, including new provisions for women’s health and workplace dignity.

Committee deputy chairperson Premila Kumar questioned whether WAF could support young mothers in work environments that were not originally designed with women in mind.

In response, WAF acting chief executive officer Seru Soderberg openly acknowledged the gaps.

“We support that submission on providing support to not only mothers but also to females,” he said.

Mr Soderberg added that many of WAF’s facilities still reflect a male‑centric past: “If you go to a lot of our facilities, you will find that we only have male washrooms.”

To address this, WAF has now established a gender task force and begun planning for female‑friendly infrastructure, including dedicated breastfeeding spaces.

“For WAF, there will be no issues with facilitating a special area to support breastfeeding,” he said, confirming the organisation’s full backing for the proposed inclusivity measures.

The Employment Relations (Amendment) Bill 2025 also includes provisions for menstruation‑related leave and other protections for women in the workforce, while seeking to enhance workers’ rights more broadly. Although WAF submitted concerns about stricter penalties and the potential criminalisation of certain employer actions, it made clear that it supports reforms promoting gender inclusion and safer workplaces.

Ms Kumar commended the move, noting that it represents “an important step for Fiji’s workplaces: creating environments where women can work safely, comfortably, and with dignity.”

Mr Soderberg reaffirmed the organisation’s broader commitment to equality and staff welfare.

“We want all our staff, men and women alike, to feel supported and valued. Providing breastfeeding facilities is just one step — we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and modern workplace for everyone,” he said.

Feedback: rariqi.turner@fijisun.com.fj