The government has put in place several employment laws and regulations in Fiji to protect the rights of employees. These laws and regulations state the fundamental rights employees are entitled to and the procedures employers must follow when hiring staff, dismissing workers, and more.
Fiji Employment Laws and Regulations
Employers must provide a written statement of employment conditions to employees, specifying the terms and conditions of employment, including the nature of the work to be performed, hours of work, rates of pay, and holiday entitlements. Employers must also pay employees at least the minimum wage prescribed by law.
The Employment Relations Decree prohibits employment discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, political opinion, national extraction, social origin, or age. It also prohibits employers from terminating an employee’s contract without just cause.
Employees are entitled to annual leave with pay of at least four weeks per year. They are also entitled to sick leave with full pay for up to 12 weeks a year. Employees who have worked for an employer for at least one year are entitled to severance pay if their contract is terminated without just cause.
1. Minimum Wage in Fiji
The minimum wage in Fiji is FJD 3.67 (Fijian dollars) per hour. Workers must be paid at least this amount for every hour worked. Beginning January 1, 2023, Fiji’s minimum wage will increase to FJD 4.00 per hour.
2. Overtime Pay in Fiji
Workers are entitled to overtime pay if they work more than 8 hours a day or more than 44 hours a week. Overtime pay is determined by industry level regulations, but the general overtime rate is 1.5 times the regular hourly rate.
3. Holidays in Fiji
Labor laws and regulations in Fiji are generally in compliance with international standards. The Ministry of Labor oversees labor laws and regulations, social security, and worker’s compensation. There are several national holidays in Fiji, which employees are generally entitled to observe.
The following national holidays are observed in Fiji: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Monday, Constitution Day, the Prophet’s Birthday, Fiji Day, Diwali, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Employees are generally entitled to observe these holidays, although the specifics may vary depending on the employer’s policies.
4. Maternity/Paternity Leave in Fiji
Under the Employment Relations Act 2007, employees are entitled to maternity leave of up to 98 days with full pay. Employees whose partner is on maternity leave are entitled to 5 days of paid paternity leave. Leave is contingent on the employee being the primary caregiver of the child.
5. Sick Leave in Fiji
Employees in Fiji are entitled to a minimum of 10 days of paid sick leave per year once they have worked for at least three months. To qualify for sick leave, an employee must provide a doctor’s certificate stating that the rest is necessary due to illness or injury. Sick leave may be taken for a full day or a half day. An employee absent from work for more than three consecutive days must provide a doctor’s certificate to their employer specifying the nature of the illness or injury.
The Bottom Line
Fiji has a variety of employment laws and regulations in place to protect employees. Ensure you are familiar with the specific rules that apply to your situation before taking on any new employees in Fiji. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact an employment lawyer or a global compliance expert for more information.
