Employers and unions propose practical steps
Employer federation chief Edward Bernard said labour shortages created an opportunity to recruit more disabled people. His federation was working towards a company network on disability inclusion. Trade union representative Mererai Vatege identified collective bargaining as a way to strengthen respect for disabled workers’ rights. [1]
An existing target remains unfinished business
The ILO’s employment-policy record describes a two-percent employment quota for people with physical disabilities in workplaces with at least fifty workers. The December workshop noted that Fiji’s earlier employment policy had already acknowledged failure to meet the target. The discussion therefore concerned implementation as well as future commitments. [2][1]
A new policy gives organisations a role
Cabinet endorsed the disability policy and its implementation plan on 4 June 2025, according to the parliamentary record. The 2025–2035 policy places employment and economic security among its priorities. Disabled people’s organisations are to participate in its design, implementation and monitoring, alongside government and service providers. [3]