The Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Hon. Agni Deo Singh, officially opened the National Consultation on the Inclusive Employment Guidebook for Persons with Disabilities, marking a significant step toward building more inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplaces across Fiji.
The consultation invites employers, trade unions, disability advocates, government ministries, international partners, civil society and other key stakeholders to contribute to shaping a practical and empowering resource that will guide workplaces in supporting fair and meaningful employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Inclusive Employment Guidebook is designed to translate disability rights legislation into clear, practical workplace actions. Through the national consultation process, it aims to ensure the guidebook reflects real experiences, practical solutions, and the needs of persons with disabilities across various sectors.
While delivering the opening remarks, Hon. Singh emphasised the importance of collaboration in strengthening inclusive employment in Fiji.
“The opening of the national consultation on the Inclusive Employment Guidebook represents a vital milestone in our journey toward a workforce that embraces diversity, equity, and equal opportunity. Fiji’s legal and policy framework, including the Employment Relations Act 2007 and the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2018, firmly protect the right to equal employment opportunities and reasonable workplace accommodations. This consultation ensures that the guidebook is shaped through meaningful engagement with stakeholders and the persons it is designed to support,” said Minister Singh.
Fiji’s Employment Relations Act 2007 prohibits discrimination in employment based on disability, while the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2018 reinforces the right of persons with disabilities to equal access to employment and necessary workplace accommodations.
The proposed guidebook builds on these legislative foundations by outlining practical measures that promote inclusive recruitment, accessible workplace environments, and safe working conditions.
The Employment Minister highlighted that consultation and partnership are central to ensuring the guidebook is relevant, effective, and responsive to the realities faced by persons with disabilities.
“True inclusion is achieved when policies are developed through dialogue, partnership, and shared responsibility. This consultation provides an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute their knowledge, experience, and insights to help shape a resource that will drive meaningful and measurable change in workplaces across Fiji,” Minister Singh added.
The guidebook is informed by evidence gathered through a 2019 situation analysis focusing on blind persons in Fiji and reflects years of dialogue, research, and national commitment to advancing disability inclusion.
Hon. Minister encouraged participants to actively participate in the national consultation and contribute to strengthening inclusive employment practices throughout Fiji.