The new Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Semi Koroilavesau, was today officially sworn into office by the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

“I Semi Tuleca Koroilavesau swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Fiji according to law. I will obey, observe, uphold and maintain the constitution of the Republic of Fiji, so help me God.”

Straight into the business end of things, Koroilavesau has the issue of the ILO to urgently deal with after union representatives expressed their disappointment with deliberations of the Employment Relations Advisory Board.

General Secretary Attar Singh of the Fiji Islands Trade Union Congress says they will not sign the agreement on the implementation plan with a number of their issues unresolved.

Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, chief executive, Nesbitt Hazelman says they on the other hand are happy with the agreement and have signed off it along with government.

FBC understands that the ILO cautioned Fiji in June that if the unions, government and employers did not come to an agreement prior to the ILO’s governing body’s assembly in November, they would consider a commission of inquiry.

A statement from the government on the issue is expected soon.