FWRM Calls For Gender-Responsive Reform In The Employment Relations Bill 2025

The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) is calling for gender-responsive reform of the Employment Relations Bill 2025, emphasising that such reforms are essential for advancing equality and transformative change for women in Fiji’s workforce.

For decades, FWRM has worked closely with women, communities, and partners to promote gender equality through national campaigns, policy dialogues, and advocacy for legislative reforms. These efforts aim to address systemic barriers and discriminatory laws that impact women, children, and marginalised groups, advancing economic empowerment and labour rights.

"We welcome the recent recognition of issues that have too often been neglected and commend the comprehensive statements made by various organisations and representatives in recent weeks. This is a critical moment to reaffirm Fiji’s commitments under CEDAW and international mechanisms, including the ILO Conventions 138, 182, and 190, and to ensure these obligations translate into concrete measures that eliminate discrimination and violence against women while promoting accountability and lasting change," FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh said.

FWRM is advocating for gender-responsive provisions to address gaps that leave women and marginalised workers vulnerable:

• Strengthened Sexual Harassment Provisions: Clear, enforceable mechanisms to prevent, report, and address sexual harassment in all workplaces, supported by mandatory employer policies and protective procedures.

• Expanded Maternity and Paternity Leave: Inclusive parental leave provisions that promote shared caregiving responsibilities and recognise diverse family structures.

• Menstrual and Menopausal Health Provisions: Workplace accommodations, including 12 days of paid menstrual leave per year separate from sick leave, and paid menopausal leave, to ensure dignity, health, and well-being across all life stages.

• Child Labour Provisions: Robust monitoring and accountability measures to eliminate child labour and protect young workers from exploitation.

"For decades, workplace sexual harassment, discrimination, and the lack of supportive policies have continued to undermine women’s well-being and opportunities. We stand firm in advocating that all employers uphold strong protections against harassment and discrimination. These principles are non-negotiable; they are the foundation of decent and sustainable work," Ms Singh said.

FWRM urges the Parliamentary Committee to strengthen the Employment Relations Bill by embedding these protections, which are vital for advancing gender equality, ensuring safe workplaces, and upholding the rights of women, children, and marginalised workers in Fiji.

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