The Ministry of Employment will take any employer to the Employment Tribunal if they are found to be non‑compliant with the law.
Fijivillage has noticed that some employers do not seem to understand the policies mainly relating to the introduction of the new leave that came into effect from the 1st of last month.
The Family Care Leave and Parental Leave which includes Paternity Leave and the increase in Maternity Leave days are part of the amendment that was made to the Employment Relations Act.
A company that fails to comply with the amendment commits a crime and can receive a fine of upto $50,000.
An individual that is found not to be complying with the amendment can receive a fine of upto $10,000 or a jail term of imprisonment for 2 years or both.
Last week, Quality Print PTE Limited had told us that they would only grant their employees 5 Days of Paid Family Care Leave after they see a written law on it.
The Founder and Chairman of Quality Print Limited, Dewan Chand Maharaj had a meeting with a team from the Ministry of Employment and the issue has been solved. Employees of Quality Print Limited will be granted 5 days of Family Care Leave.
A worker is entitled to Family Care Leave of 5 working days during each year of service.
Family Care Leave must not be accumulated and unused Family Care Leave will automatically lapse in the next year. For Paternity Leave, a worker is entitled to 5 working days.
Maternity Leave has been increased from 84 days to 98 days.
Employees have been urged to come forward and lodge a complaint to the Ministry Of Employment should their employers not abide by these amendments to the Employment Relations Act.
The Ministry will take these employers to the Employment Tribunal and the Tribunal will then decide on the fate of the company.
