Fiji avoids ILO inquiry into labour rights

Fiji has avoided an official inquiry into its labour rights by the International Labour Organisation.

An international Commission of Inquiry had been threatened by the United Nations body over a long-running dispute between the government and unions over the country's labour laws.

But following a visit by an ILO delegation in January, an agreement was reached between the government, employers, and the Fiji Trades Unions Congress, although disagreements remain.

At a meeting of the ILO's governing body in Geneva this week, the delegation said it welcomed the agreement and recommended that the case not be referred to a Commission of Inquiry.

However, it said there are still a number of matters that need to be addressed and the ILO should continue to provide technical assistance to Fiji to resolve the disputes.