Fijian Minister of Employment, Jioji Konrote spoke at the International Labour Organisation Committee on Standards in Geneva, in support of India.

India has recently declared its intention to reform procedures on the inspection of work places, to ensure greater transparency and accountability of factory inspections.

However, the Indian Centre of Trade Unions has complained to the ILO about the proposed reforms, saying that the declared reforms contravene a key ILO Convention.

Speaking during a discussion on the complaint, Jioji Konrote said India had displayed a long term commitment to the values of the ILO and that India’s labour laws were complex and comprehensive.

The Minister expressed the view that India should be given the time and space to pursue its reform agenda, and the the ILO should lend to India technical assistance to ensure that the reforms were conducted within the requirements of ILO laws and practices.

The complaint against India was discussed by the Committee on Standards, together with complaints against Guatemala, Spain, Italy, Honduras and Kazakstan, amongst other countries.

The Governing Body of the ILO will discuss Fiji’s case in November this year.

The Minister heads the Fijian delegation to the International Labour Conference, which also includes Mr Nesbitt Hazelman of the Employers and Commerce Federation, Mr Felix Anthony of the Fiji Trade Unions Congress, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nazhat Shameem Khan, and Ms Vani Varea, Director of Labour Policy of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations.