Fiji reviews progress on disability inclusion in the workplace

Fiji reviews progress on disability inclusion in the workplace

Fiji addresses significant gap in disability employment through high-level tripartite workshop

3 December 2025

Suva, Fiji (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations convened a crucial two-day workshop in Suva from 1-2 December 2025 focused on promoting and ensuring the labour rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Fiji's world of work.

The workshop, organized under the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities programme, brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relationships; the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection; the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs; the Fiji Higher Education Commission; the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission; social partners Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC) and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF); the National Council of Persons with Disabilities; and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), including the United Blind Persons of Fiji and the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation.

Fiji has ratified key ILO Fundamental Conventions and the ILO Convention 159 on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons). The Employment Relations Act 2007 prohibits discrimination based on disability and establishes a two percent employment target for larger employers.

However, data and analysis reveal a significant gap between legal intent and workplace reality. Despite Fiji's Employment Relations Act 2007 establishing a target of two percent employment of persons with disabilities for employers above a certain size, the National Employment Policy 2018-2023 recognized that this target has not been met. Moreover, a Situational Analysis published by the United Nations in 2024 indicated that only 15% of persons with disabilities are engaged in paid work.

Discussions centred on the National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2025-2035, which had recently been endorsed by the Government. This policy, based on a human-rights approach, identifies employment, promotion of entrepreneurship, and economic security as priority areas to ensure persons with disabilities enjoy the same opportunities as the rest of the population. Additionally, experts provided a global overview on persons with disabilities and the world of work.

Mr. Peniasi Rawaidranu, representing the Fiji Disabled Persons Federation stressed "This is a crucial workshop for persons with disabilities living in Fiji, it is not black and white on the paper what have convened to discuss, it is about our lives" and reiterated "Nothing about us, without us".

Mr. Edward Bernard, FCEF CEO said "Fiji's current skills gap and labour market shortages make this an opportune moment to increase the participation of marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities. The FCEF is working to establish a dedicated group of companies in Fiji following international best practice through the ILO Global Business and Disability Network."

Ms. Mererai Vatege, Senior IR Officer and FTUC Youth Chairman emphasised that "collective bargaining remains a key opportunity to further support respect for international labour standards for persons with disabilities in Fiji" and reassured that "FTUC supports every worker, including workers with disabilities".

Mr. Martin Wandera, Director for the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, said "The commitment shown by the Fijian government, employers, and workers' organizations in this workshop is vital. The statistics are clear: out of nearly 300,000 employed people in Fiji, fewer than 1,200 are persons with disabilities. This critical gap is not just a matter of social justice and upholding ratified international standards; it represents a significant, untapped strategic economic opportunity for Fiji, particularly given the present need to fill skills and labour shortages."

"The ILO is dedicated to leveraging this tripartite collaboration to translate national policies, such as the new National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2025-2035, into concrete and sustainable actions that ensure all persons with disabilities have equal access to decent work."

The outcomes and ways forward from the workshop will provide guidance for further action by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations and the ILO, and be further discussed with the National Council of Persons with Disabilities and OPDs.