1383

Vol. 10 TUESDAY, 22nd DECEMBER 2009 No. 115

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE FIJI GOVERNMENT

REPUBLIC OF FIJI ISLANDS GOVERNMENT GAZETTEEXTRAORDINARY

[1425] GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI

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NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTRE DECREE 2009(DECREE NO. 54 OF 2009)

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART 1 - PRELIMINARY

1. Short title2. Object of this Decree3. Commencement4. Application5. Interpretation6. Non-derogation

PART 2 - FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND RIGHTS

7. Object of this Part8. Fundamental principles and rights 9. Prohibited grounds of discrimination10. Exceptions for purposes of religion11. Exceptions in relation to disability12. Sexual harassment or harassment13. Redress for discrimination, sexual harassment or harassment

PART 3 - NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTRE

14. Object of this Part15. National Employment Centre

PART 4 - NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTRE BOARD

16. Object of this Part17. National Employment Centre Board18. Functions and powers of the Board19. Allowances20. Termofoffice,leave,resignationanddismissalofmembers21. Meetings of the Board22. Annual report of the Board

1384PART 5 - NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTRE SECRETARIAT

23. Object of this Part24. National Employment Centre Secretariat25. Appointmentofofficers26. Compliancewithqualitymanagementandgovernancesystems27. Other function and duties of the Secretariat 28. Integrated performance report 29. Integrated annual report 30. Analysis of performance and way forward

PART 6 - DESIGNATIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

31. Object of this Part32. Administration of this Decree33. Delegation by the Board34. Board may call for information35. Institution of proceedings36. Powersandfunctionsofofficers37. Interestsandconfidentiality

PART 7 - CONDITIONS OF ENGAGEMENT OF THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTRE

38. Object of this Part39. Compulsory registration of the unemployed 40. Engagement without compulsory registration41. Conditions of engagement to be in accordance with this Decree42. Conditions of engagement and allowances43. Minimum age for employment or engagement44. Employer’s social responsibility to promote employment 45. Code of Ethics 46. Counsellingandreferralservices47. Strategic partnerships with training institutions and agencies 48. Strategic partnerships with the Fiji Disciplined Forces 49. Strategic partnerships with reputable international agencies 50. Incentivesforemploymentcreation51. Data management and use 52. Promotionofmaximumutilisationoflandtoboostproductivity53. Promotionoffinancialliteracyandsmallandmicro-financefacilities54. Public awareness campaign

PART 8 - FORMAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

55. Object of this Part56. EstablishmentanddesignationofFormalEmploymentService57. Life skills training58. Employment skills training59. Workplace attachment60. Employment taxation scheme61. Strategic plan and annual corporate plan 62. Compliancewithqualitymanagementandgovernancesystems63. Performance reports64. Annual report

1385PART 9 - SELF-EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

65. Object of this Part66. EstablishmentanddesignationofSelf-EmploymentService67. Life skills training68. Entrepreneurship skills training69. Business attachment 70. Starting small and micro enterprises 71. Strategic plan and annual corporate plan 72. Compliancewithqualitymanagementandgovernancesystems73. Performance reports74. Annual report

PART 10 - FIJI VOLUNTEER SERVICE

75. Object of this Part76. GoalsoftheFijiVolunteerService77. EstablishmentanddesignationofFijiVolunteerService78. Life skills training79. Employment skills training80. Volunteer assignment81. Strategic plan and annual corporate plan 82. Compliancewithqualitymanagementandgovernancesystems83. Performance reports84. Annual report

PART 11 - FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

85. Object of this Part86. EstablishmentanddesignationofForeignEmploymentService87. Life skills training88. Employment skills training89. Pre-departure orientation training90. Attestation of foreign contracts91. Strategic plan and annual corporate plan 92. Compliancewithqualitymanagementandgovernancesystems93. Performance reports94. Annual report

PART 12 - NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTRE TRUST FUND

95. Object of this Part96. The Fund 97. Payments of the Fund

PART 13 - OFFENCES

98. Offencetodelayorobstructofficer99. General penalty

PART 14 - MISCELLANEOUS

100. Protectionagainstcivilandcriminalproceedings101. Time for instituting proceedings for offences102. Fixed penalties103. Regulations

1386GOVERNMENT OF FIJI

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NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTRE DECREE 2009(DECREE NO. 54 OF 2009)

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A DECREE TO REFORM THE MANAGEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT CREATION SERVICES

INexerciseofthepowersvestedinmeasthePresidentandCommanderinChiefoftheRepublicofFijiMilitaryForces, I hereby make the following Decree—

PART 1—PRELIMINARYShort title

1. This Decree may be cited as the National Employment Centre Decree 2009.Object of this Decree

2. TheobjectofthisDecreeistoprovideareformativelegislativeframeworkwhichenablestheprovisionofqualityemploymentservicestotheunemployedandalsothecreationofdecentandenvironmentallysustainableemploymenttopromoteproductivity,welfareandprosperityofallFiji’speopleby—

(a) establishing a “one-stop shop” National Employment Centre infrastructure throughout the Fiji Islands underthejurisdictionoftheMinistryofLabourtoprovidequalityskillstraining,humanresourcesdevelopmentandutilisationservicestoenhancetheemployabilityofunemployedpersons,retireesandvolunteersforboththelocalandoverseasemploymentmarketsthroughqualityconsolidation,facilitation, coordination andmonitoring of all existing employment creation serviceswithinGovernment;

(b) providingastructureofresponsibilitiesandrightsfortheNationalEmploymentCentreBoard,theNational Employment Centre Secretariat and agencies engaged in employment creation matters to betterregulatetheirmanagementandoperationtointernationalqualityandgovernancestandardstoboostemploymentcreationandproductivityandcontributetothealleviationofpoverty;

(c) establishingtheFormalEmploymentService,theSelf-EmploymentService,theFijiVolunteerServiceandtheForeignEmploymentServicetocost-effectivelycarryouttheirpowers,functionsanddutiesundertheoversightoftheNationalEmploymentCentretopromotegoodgovernance;

(d) encouragingeffectiveandefficientconsultationsandcommunicationsbetweenEmploymentCreationServices and theNationalEmploymentCentre for quality strategicmanagement of employmentcreation information, data and challenges, including the performances of Employment Creation Services;

(e) promotingdecentandenvironment-friendlyemploymentopportunitiesandcareeradvancementforall unemployed persons in the labour market, including persons with disabilities, as well as securing, investingandutilisingfundstoboostemploymentcreationactivities;

(f) promotingopportunitiesfordecentself-employment,entrepreneurship,thestartinganddevelopmentofsmallandmicroenterprisebusinessesorcooperativesincludingsocialenterprises,greenproductivityandlocaleconomicdevelopmentprogrammesthroughsustainableenterprisedevelopment;

(g) promoting decent vocational and professional rehabilitation, job retention and return-to-workprogrammesforpersonswithdisabilities;

(h) helping topreventandeliminatedirectand indirectdiscrimination toanyunemployedpersonorvolunteerinvolvedinanyemploymentcreationserviceonthebasisofrace,colour,gender,sexualorientation, age, physical or mental disability, HIV/AIDS status, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy,religion,politicalopinion,nationalextractionorsocialorigin;

(i) complyingwithinternationalobligationsrelatingtohumandevelopmentandclimatechange,andgivingeffecttotheGovernment’semploymentcreationpolicies;and

(j) effectivelyaddressinganyotherrelatedmatters.

1387Commencement

3.—(1) This Decree commences on a date or dates appointed by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.

(2) TheMinistermayappointdifferentdatesforthecommencementofdifferentprovisionsofthisDecree.Application

4.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), this Decree applies to all unemployed and unemployed persons who are citizens or residents of the Fiji Islands, the National Employment Centre Board, the National Employment Centre Secretariat,includingtheEmploymentCreationServicesoperatinginboththepublicandprivatesectorsintheFijiIslands which are constituted under this Decree.

(2) ThisDecreecoversallindustriesintheFijiIslands.

(3) ThisDecreedoesnotapplytoanychildorpersonengagedonacontractofserviceorcontractforservice,unlessthepersonisregisteredasapart-timeworkerorvolunteerwiththeNationalEmploymentCentre.

Interpretation 5.—(1) In this Decree, unless the context otherwise requires—

“accreditedtrainer”meansatrainerwhoisaccreditedwiththeTrainingandProductivityAuthorityofFijiorotherrecognisedlocal,regionalorinternationaltraininginstitutions;

“apprentice”meansapersonundertakingapprenticeshipundertheTrainingandProductivityAuthorityofFijiAct;

“attachment”meansworkplaceorbusinessattachmentundertakenunderPart8orPart9ofthisDecree;

“attaché” means an unemployed person who is registered with the National Employment Centre and undertakes skills training or workplace attachment or business attachment under Part 8 or Part 9 of this Decree.Anattachéisnotanindividualwhoisundera‘contractofservice’asdefinedundersection4oftheEmploymentRelationsPromulgation2007orundera‘contractofservice’ora‘self-employedperson’asdefinedundersection5oftheHealthandSafetyatWorkAct1996;

“authority”meansacitycouncil,towncounciloraruralauthority;

“Board”meanstheNationalEmploymentCentreBoardconstitutedundersection17ofthisDecree;

“business” means an enterprise that deals with any form of manufacturing, processing, extraction, production, agriculture,horticulture,fishing,diving,agro-processing,aquaculture,eco-tourism,greentechnologies,eco-products,eco-services,creativearts,handicraft,carpentryandjoineryservices,repairservices,buildingandconstructionservices,marketingservices, trainingorconsultancyservices, restaurantservices,bakingservices,transportandconveyanceservices,cleaningservices,hairdressing,tailoringservices,massage services, recreational services,water sports services, rental services,wholesaleandretailtrade,serviceindustries,cottageorhome-basedindustries,exportandotherindustrialorcommercialactivities.ItincludesanyotherbusinessactivitiesspecifiedundertheInternationalLabourOrganizationClassification;

“businessexcellence”meanstheFijiBusinessExcellenceAwardsFramework;“child”meansapersonwhoisundertheageof15years;“conditionofengagement”meansthecondition(privileges,responsibilitiesorrights)inwhichanunemployed

personorvolunteerisengagedbyanemployerorapersonunderanEmploymentCreationServiceconstitutedunderthisDecree.Aconditionofengagementisnota‘contractofservice’asdefinedunderthe Employment Relations Promulgation 2007 or under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1996. With theexceptionofthe‘part-timeworker’,apersonengagedunderaconditionofengagementisnota‘worker’asdefinedundersection4oftheEmploymentRelationsPromulgation2007;

“day” means—(a) aperiodof24hoursbeginningandendingatmidnightand;(b) in the case of a shift worker, a continuous period of 24 hours beginning at the time when a

workercommenceswork;“Decree”meanstheNationalEmploymentCentreDecreeandincludestheregulationsandcodes;

1388“disabledperson”meansanindividualwhoseprospectsofsecuring,retainingandadvancinginsuitable

employment are substantially reduced as a result of a duly recognised physical, sensory, intellectual ormentalimpairment;

“disciplinedforces”meanstheRepublicofFijiMilitaryForces,theFijiNavy,theFijiPoliceForce,thePrisonsandCorrectionsServiceandtheNationalFireAuthority;

“discrimination” means any distinction, exclusion or preference based on the grounds set out in Part 2 of thisDecree;

“employ”meanstousetheservicesofapersonunderacontractofserviceorcontractforservice;

“employer”meansacorporation,company,bodyofpersonsorindividualbywhomaworkerisemployedunderacontractofserviceorcontractforserviceandincludes—

(a) theGovernment;(b) otherGovernmententities;(c) alocalauthority;(d) astatutoryauthority;(e) theagentorauthorisedrepresentativeofalocalorforeignemployer;or(f) theself-employed;

“employment”meanstheperformancebyaworkerofacontractofserviceorcontractforservice;

“employmentagency”meansanyactivitycarriedoutbyanaturalorlegalpersonintheFijiIslandsfortheenlisting, registration, recruitment or deployment of persons for employment outside the Fiji Islands, butexcludesanypublicemploymentexchangesorpublicauthority;

“employmentcontract”meansacollectiveagreementorapprenticeshipcontractspecifiedunderthisDecreeoranyotherwrittenlaworanoralorwrittencontractofservicebetweenaworkerandanemployer;

“EmploymentCourt”or“Court”meanstheEmploymentRelationsCourtconstitutedasadivisionoftheHighCourtofFijiundersection219oftheEmploymentRelationsPromulgation2007;

“employment creation matters” means matters pertaining to both the creation of formal employment and the creation of employment in the informal sector and rural areas associated with the creation of small andmicroenterprisesorself-employment;

“EmploymentCreationServices”meanstheFormalEmploymentService,theSelf-EmploymentService,theFijiVolunteerServiceandtheForeignEmploymentServiceconstitutedandgazettedunderthisDecree;

“EmploymentRelationsAdvisoryBoard”meanstheBoardconstitutedunderPart3oftheEmploymentRelationsPromulgation2007;

“employment skills” means the acquisition of employment skills or competencies in a holistic manner, the specificcharacteristicsofwhicharespecifiedintheregulations.

“EmploymentTaxationScheme”means anyGovernment taxation scheme that provides incentives foremployerstotrainandrecruitanyunemployed;

“Employment Tribunal” or “Tribunal” means the Employment Relations Tribunal constituted under section 202oftheEmploymentRelationsPromulgation2007;

“enterprise”meansanyindividualorbusinessentitywhichtradesingoodsorservicesforprofitthroughlawfulmeans;

“existingemploymentcreationservices”meanstheNationalYouthServiceScheme(NYSS),theNationalCentre for Small andMicroEnterprisesDevelopment (NCSMED), theCentre forAppropriateTechnologyandDevelopment(CATD),theIntegratedHumanResourceDevelopmentProgrammeforEmployment Promotion (IHRDPEP), the Foreign Employment Unit under the Ministry of Labour, the WalkingOutofPovertyProjectsundertheMinistryofSocialWelfare,theAgriculturalProgrammesundertheMinistryofAgricultureandanyotheremploymentcreationserviceshostedbyaGovernmentministryordepartment;

1389“family”meansthespouseoranychildofaworker;

“FijiVolunteerService”meanstheFijiVolunteerServiceconstitutedunderPart10ofthisDecree;

“foreigncontractofservice”meansacontractofservicemadewithintheFijiIslandsandtobeperformedwhollyorpartiallyoutsidetheFijiIslandsandanycontractofservicewithaforeignstate;

“ForeignEmploymentService”meanstheForeignEmploymentServiceconstitutedunderPart11ofthisDecree;

“foreignemploymentservices”includeanyactivitycarriedoutbytheForeignEmploymentServicefortheenlisting, registration, recruitment, training, deployment or repatriation of persons for employment outsideFijibutexcludeanyprivateemploymentagencyormercenaryactivities;

“formalemployment”meansanyemploymentwithinthedefinitionof‘contractofservice’undersection4of the Employment Relations Promulgation 2007 or under section 5 of the Health and Safety at Work Act1996.Itexcludesself-employmentoranycontractforservice;

“FormalEmploymentService”meanstheFormalEmploymentServiceconstitutedunderPart8ofthisDecree;

“Fund”meanstheNationalEmploymentCentreTrustFundestablishedunderPart12ofthisDecree;

“greengrowth”referstothepolicyfocusemphasisingenvironmentallysustainableeconomicprogresstofosterlow-carbonandsociallyinclusivedevelopment;

“greenjobs”meansdecentjobsthatcontributesubstantiallytopreservingorrestoringenvironmentalquality;helptoprotectandrestoreecosystemsandbiodiversity;reduceenergy,materialsandwaterconsumptionthroughhigh-efficiencyandavoidancestrategies;decarbonisetheeconomy;andminimiseoraltogetheravoidgenerationofallformsofwasteandpollution;

“greenproductivity”means:anewparadigmofsocioeconomicdevelopmentaimedatthepursuitofeconomicandproductivitygrowthwhileprotectingtheenvironment.Itisapracticalwaytoanswerthechallengesofsustainabledevelopmentattheenterpriseandorganisationlevel;

“harassment” occurs when an unwanted conduct related to a protected ground takes place with the purpose oreffectofviolatingthedignityofaperson;orcreatinganintimidating,hostile,degrading,humiliatingoroffensiveenvironment;

“indirect discrimination” means any apparently neutral situation, regulation or practice which in fact results in unequal treatment of persons with certain characteristics that occurs when the same condition, treatmentorcriterionisappliedtoeveryone,butresultsinadisproportionatelyharshimpactonsomepersons on the grounds set out in section 9 of this Decree, and is not closely related to any inherent requirementofthejob;

“ISO” means the International Standards Organization. It includes the quality management standards specifiedundertheISO9001seriesandthesocialresponsibilityguidelinesundertheISO26000series,asamendedfromtimetotime;

“lifeskills”meanstheacquisitionoflifeskillsorcompetenciesinaholisticmanner,thespecificcharacteristicsofwhicharespecifiedintheregulations;

“LocalEconomicDevelopment(LED)Programme”isaninitiativetakingplacewithinaspecificlocalterritoryorareathathasastrategicfocusoneconomicpotentialsandbuildsoncompetitiveadvantagesoftheterritory through a participatory approach that is locally owned and managed. The “local” in LED refers tosomekindofterritorialboundary,butnotrestrictedtoadministrativeboundaries.The“economic”inLEDreferstothefocusoneconomicgrowth,employmentgenerationandenterprisedevelopment.The“development”inLEDinvolvesabroadrangeofoutcomesandabroadrepresentationoflocalactorstoreachtheseoutcomes;

“mercenary”meansanypersonwhoisdefinedasamercenaryundertheEmploymentRelations(EmploymentAgencies)Regulations2008;

“microenterprise”meansanyenterprisewhichhasaturnoverortotalassetsnotexceeding$30,000inFijiancurrencyandemploysnotmorethan5workers;

1390“Minister”meanstheMinisterresponsibleforemploymentmatters;

“Ministry”meanstheMinistryresponsiblefortheadministrationofthisDecree;

“month” means a calendar month, or a period commencing on a date in a calendar month and expiring on thedayprecedingthecorrespondingdateinthesucceedingcalendarmonth;

“National Employment Centre” means the National Employment Centre established under Part 3 of this Decree. Depending on the context, it may also include the National Employment Centre Board, theNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariat andall theEmploymentCreationServicesunder thejurisdictionsoftheNationalEmploymentCentreconstitutedunderthisDecree;

“National Employment Centre Secretariat” means the National Employment Centre Secretariat established underPart5ofthisDecree;

“nationalqualification framework”means thenationalqualification frameworkadministeredbyabodyestablishedundertheHigherEducationCommission;

“officer”meansanofficeroftheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatoranyoftheEmploymentCreationServicesorapersondesignatedbytheBoardtocarryoutcertaindutiesunderPart6ofthisDecree;

“part-timeworker”meansapersonwhoisemployedunderacontractofserviceonapart-timebasisforaspecifiednumberofhoursadayorspecifiednumberofhoursordaysaweek;

“PermanentSecretary”meansthePermanentSecretaryresponsibleforemploymentmatters;

“practicable”inrelationtoahazardorrisk,meanspracticablehavingregardto-

(a) itsseverity;(b) thestateofknowledgeaboutthehazardorriskandthewaysofremovingormitigatingit;(c) theavailabilityandsuitabilityofwaystoremoveormitigateit;and(d) thecostofremovingormitigatingit;

“prospectiveworker”meansanypersonwhoappliesforanemploymentvacancyorisconsideredforanemploymentvacancy.Itincludesanattachéoravolunteer;

“publicauthority”includesaministryoradepartmentofGovernmentoralocalauthorityoracommercialstatutoryauthorityoragovernmentcommercialcompanyoragovernmentcompany;

“retiree”meansanypersonwhohasbeenretiredvoluntarilyorcompulsorilybyhisorheremployer,andiscurrentlyunemployedorapart-timeworkerorisnotoperatinganybusinessenterprise;

“schoolleaver”meansanunemployedpersonwhoisnotundertheageof15yearsandisnotenrolledinany primary school, secondary school or tertiary institution on a full time basis and is under the age of35years;

“self-employed” means a person who is self employed or starts or owns his or her own small or micro enterpriseforgainorrewardotherwisethanundera‘contractofservice’asdefinedundersection4ofthe Employment Relations Promulgation 2007 and under section 5 of the Health and Safety at Work Act1996;

“self-employment” means any employment where a person or a group of persons operates a small or micro enterprisebusinessincludingsocialenterpriseor“LocalEconomicDevelopment(LED)Programme";

“Self-EmploymentService”meanstheSelf-EmploymentServiceconstitutedunderPart9ofthisDecree.ItincludestheNationalCentreforSmallandMicroEnterprisesDevelopment(NCSMED),theCentreforAppropriateTechnologyandDevelopment(CATD),theIntegratedHumanResourceDevelopmentProgramme for Employment Promotion (IHRDPEP) and other forms of small or micro enterprise business creation activities including social enterprises andLocalEconomicDevelopment (LED)programmes;

“sexualharassment”meanswhenanattachéorvolunteerissexuallyharassedbyanypersonduringtheperiodof his or her engagement with the National Employment Centre or any of the Employment Creation Servicesorattheworkplacewhereheorsheundertakesworkplacetrainingorattachment,orplaceswhereworkersaregatheredforwork-relatedpurposesincludingsocialactivity,whenthepersonora

1391workplace employer—

(a) makesarequestofanattachéorvolunteerforsexualintercourse,sexualcontactoranyotherformofsexualactivitywhichcontainsanimpliedorovert—(i) promiseofpreferentialtreatmentduringthatattachéorvolunteer’speriodofengagement;

(ii) threatofdetrimentaltreatmenttotheattachéorvolunteer’sconditionofengagement;or

(iii) threat about the present or future engagement status or future employment status of that attachéorvolunteer;

(b) by the use of a word (whether written or spoken) of a sexual nature or materials of a sexual nature;

(c) byphysicalbehaviourorgesturesofasexualnature;or(d) createsanintimidating,hostileorhumiliatingworkenvironmentbyconduct,wordorbothon

the basis of gender,thatsubjectstheattachéorvolunteertobehaviourwhichisunwelcomeoroffensivetothatattachéorvolunteer(whetherornotthatisconveyedtotheemployer,itsrepresentativeortheperpetrator)andwhichiseitherrepeatedorofsuchanaturethatithasadetrimentaleffectontheattachéorvolunteer’sconditionofengagement.Inthiscontext,detrimentaleffectincludesthecreationofanenvironmentwhichaffectsanattachéorvolunteer’sphysical,emotionalormentalhealthandwell-being;

“ship”meansaboat,vessel,hovercraftorcraftofanykind;

“smallenterprise”meansanyenterprisewhichhasaturnoverortotalassetsbetween$30,000and$100,000inFijiancurrencyandemploysbetween6and20workers;

“socialresponsibility”meanspeopleandorganisationsbehavingandconductingbusinessethicallyandwithsensitivitytowardssocial,cultural,economicandenvironmentalissues.Strivingforsocialresponsibilityhelpsindividuals,organisationsandgovernmentshaveapositiveimpactondevelopment,businessandsociety;

“spouse”meansalegallymarriedwifeorhusband;

“trainee” means a person who enrols under the National Employment Centre and undertakes life skills or employment skills or entrepreneurship skills training or workplace attachment or business attachment undertheFormalEmploymentServiceortheSelf-EmploymentServiceortheFijiVolunteerServiceortheForeignEmploymentService;

“TrainingandProductivityAuthorityofFiji”meanstheAuthorityestablishedundersection3oftheTrainingandProductivityAuthorityofFijiAct;

“unemployed” means a person who—

(i) isnotunder15yearsofage;(ii) isnotself-employedorengagedinany‘contractofservice’asdefinedundersection4

of the Employment Relations Promulgation 2007 or under section 5 of the Health and SafetyatWorkAct1996;

(iii) isnotpresentlyundergoingacourseofeducationortraining;and(iv) isalegalresidentintheFijiIslands;

“unemployed graduates” mean persons who are registered under the National Employment Centre and—

(i) have successfully graduatedwithCertificates,Diplomas,Degrees or Post-Graduatequalifications;

(ii) arenotunder15yearsofage;and(iii) arenotself-employedorengagedin‘contractsofservice’asdefinedundersection4of

the Employment Relations Promulgation 2007 or under section 5 of the Health and Safety atWorkAct1996;

“unemployedpersons”meanpersonswhoare‘unemployed’andareregisteredundertheNationalEmployment

1392Centre.Theyincludetheschoolleavers,unemployedgraduates,unemployedapprentices,attachés,volunteers,retireesandpart-timeworkers;

“volunteer”meansapersonwhoisregisteredundertheNationalEmploymentCentreandenrolledasavolunteerwiththeFijiVolunteerService.ApersonwhoisengagedasavolunteerundertheFijiVolunteerServiceisconsideredasanindividualwhosetermsandconditionsofengagementdonotconstitutea‘contractofservice’asdefinedundersection4oftheEmploymentRelationsPromulgation2007orundersection5oftheHealthandSafetyatWorkAct1996;

“week”meansaperiodof7consecutivedays;

“worker”meansapersonwhoisemployedundera‘contractofservice’,andincludesanapprentice,domesticworker,part-timeworkerorcasualworker.Itexcludesanattachéorvolunteerortrainee;

“workplace”meansanyplace,whetherornotinabuildingorstructure,includingaship,vehicleoraircraft,whereworkersarerequiredtoperformtheir‘contractsofservice’;

“writtencontract”meansa‘contractofservice’which,underthisDecree,isrequiredtobemadeinwriting;and

“year” includes a period commencing on a date in a calendar year and expiring on the day preceding the corresponding date in the following calendar year.

(2) A reference in this Decree to—(a) afunctionincludesareferencetoapower,authorityandduty;and

(b) the exercise of a function includes, where the function is a duty, a reference to the performance of the duty.

Non-derogation 6. TheprovisionsofthisDecreeareinadditiontoanddonotderogatefromtheprovisionsofanyotherlaw.

PART 2—FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND RIGHTSObject of this Part

7. The object of this Part is to state the entitlement to fair human rights practices as applied to all unemployed persons,attachésorvolunteersparticipatingunder theNationalEmploymentCentreoranyof theEmploymentCreationServices.

Fundamental principles and rights 8.—(1) No person shall be required to perform forced labour.

(2) Nopersonshalldiscriminateagainstanyunemployedperson,attaché,volunteerorprospectiveworkeron any of the prohibited grounds.

Prohibited grounds of discrimination 9.—(1) For the purposes of this Part, the prohibited grounds for discrimination whether direct or indirect are actualorsupposedpersonalcharacteristicsorcircumstances,including:ethnicorigin,religionorbelief,colour,placeof origin, gender, sexual orientation, birth, primary language, economic status, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, social class,maritalstatus(includinglivinginarelationshipinthenatureofamarriage),familystatus,opinionorformercriminalconviction,excepttotheextentthatthoseopinionsorbeliefsinvolveharmtoothersorthediminutionofthe rights or freedoms of others.

(2) Everyemployershallpayvolunteersorattachésequalallowancesforworkofequalvalue.Exceptions for purposes of religion

10.—(1) Section9doesnotpreventdifferenttreatmentbasedongenderwheretheattachmentorvolunteerassignment is for the purposes of an organised religion and is limited to one gender so as to comply with the doctrines or rules or established customs of the religion.

(2) Section9doesnotpreventdifferent treatmentbasedon religiousor ethicalbeliefwhere the soleorprincipaldutiesoftheattachmentorvolunteerassignment—

(a) arethesameorsubstantiallythesameasthoseofaclergyman,priest,pastor,officialorteacheramongadherentsofthatbelieforotherwiseinvolvethepropagationofthatbelief;or

1393(b) consist of acting as a social worker on behalf of an organisation whose members comprise solely or

principally adherents of that belief.

(3) WiththeexceptionoftheobservanceoftheweeklySabbathdayrest,ifareligiousorethicalbeliefrequiresits adherents to follow a particular practice, an employer must accommodate the practice so long as adjustments of the employer’sactivitiesrequiredtoaccommodatethepracticedoesnotunreasonablydisrupttheemployer’sactivities.

Exceptions in relation to disability

11.—(1) Section9doesnotpreventdifferenttreatmentbasedonphysicaldisabilityif—(a) theattachmentorvolunteerassignmentissuchthatthepersoncouldperformthedutiesoftheposition

satisfactorilyonlywiththeaidofspecialservicesorfacilitiesanditisnotpracticabletoexpecttheemployertoprovidethoseservicesorfacilities;or

(b) theenvironmentinwhichthedutiesofthepositionaretobeperformedorthenatureofthoseduties,or of some of them, is such that the person could perform those duties only with a risk of infecting others with an illness, and it is not reasonable to take that risk.

(2) Subsection (1)(b) does not apply if the employer could take reasonable measures to reduce the risk to a normallevelwithoutunreasonabledisruption.

(3) Section9doesnotapplytotermsofemploymentorconditionsofworkthataresetorvariedaftertakinginto account—

(a) any special limitation that the disability of a person imposes on that person’s capacity to carry out the work;and

(b) anyspecialserviceorfacilitythatisprovidedtoenableorfacilitatethecarryingoutofthework.

Sexual harassment or harassment

12.—(1) An employer is liable under this section, together with a worker or other person who sexually harasses orharassesanattachéorvolunteerorunemployedpersoniftheemployerfailstotakethereasonablestepsnecessarytopreventthesexualharassmentorharassmentoftheemployer’sattachéorvolunteerorunemployedperson.

(2) Whereacomplaintofsexualharassmentorharassmenthasbeenmadebyanattachéorvolunteerorunemployedpersonunderthissection,theprevioussexualexperienceorreputationoftheattachéorvolunteerorunemployed person must not be taken into account by the employer or the Employment Court or the Employment Tribunal.

Redress for discrimination, sexual harassment or harassment 13.—(1) Anattachéorvolunteerorunemployedpersoncomplainingofdiscrimination,sexualharassmentorharassment may take his or her case to the Employment Tribunal or the Fiji Human Rights Commission for resolution within six (6) months from the time a complaint has been lodged with an employer, worker or perpetrator.

(2) Tofacilitatetheresolutionundersubsection(1),thecomplainantortheemployermayusetheservicesofthe Ministry.

(3) Providedthatthereisnoresolutionundersubsection(2),anattachéorvolunteerorunemployedpersonwhoisaggrievedbyacomplaintofdiscriminationorsexualharassmentorharassmentmustelectwhetherheorsheproceeds to the Employment Tribunal or the Fiji Human Rights Commission, but not both.

PART 3—NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTREObject of this Part

14. TheobjectofthisPartisfortheGovernment,throughtheMinistry,toestablishandsustainaNationalEmploymentCentretoprovidequality‘one-stop’employmentcreationserviceofficesthroughouttheFijiIslandsand to facilitate, coordinate and monitor national employment creation policies implemented by the Employment CreationServicesinboththeformalandinformalsectors.

National Employment Centre 15.—(1) TheMinistryshallestablishandsustainaNationalEmploymentCentretoberesponsibleforprovidingquality‘one-stop’employmentcreationservicestoallunemployedpersonsthroughouttheFijiIslands.

(2) The National Employment Centre shall also facilitate, coordinate and monitor the national employment

1394creationpoliciesimplementedbytheEmploymentCreationServices.

(3) TheNationalEmploymentCentreshallalsofacilitate,coordinateandmonitortheprovisionsofqualitycounsellingservices,lifeskillstraining,employmentskillstrainingandentrepreneurshipskillstrainingtopromotedecentandenvironmentallysoundemployment,creationofsmallbusinessesandvolunteerservicetoboostproductivityamongst unemployed persons.

(4) The National Employment Centre shall be headed by the National Employment Centre Board established under this Decree.

(5) The National Employment Centre shall be managed by the National Employment Centre Secretariat established under this Decree.

(6) TheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatshallbedirectlyresponsibletotheBoardfortheefficientandeffectivemanagementanddailyoperationofalltheNationalEmploymentCentreofficesthroughoutFiji.

(7) The Minister shall, by notice in the Gazette, establish the National Employment Centre, its composite bodies and jurisdictions, including its commencement date.

PART 4—NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTRE BOARDObject of this Part

16. The object of this Part is to establish the National Employment Centre Board to be responsible to the Minister for the implementation of national policies pertaining to employment creation matters in both the formal andinformalsectorsthroughtheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatandtheEmploymentCreationServices.

National Employment Centre Board

17.—(1) This section establishes the National Employment Centre Board consisting of the following members—

(a) Permanent Secretaries responsible for Finance,National Planning, PublicServiceCommission,Education,SocialWelfare,BusinessandCommerceandAgricultureandLands;

(b) GeneralManagerNativeLandTrustBoard;(c) fourDivisionalCommissioners;(d) representativesofyouths;(e) representativesofemployers;(f) representativesofworkers;(g) representativesofvocationaltraininginstitutions;(h) representativesofcivilsocietyorganisations;and(i) other persons.

(2) The Minister appoints the members of the Board, and in appointing such members the Minister must appointsuchpersonswho,intheopinionoftheMinister,haveexperienceandexpertiseintheareascoveredbythefunctionsoftheBoardorinemploymentcreation,smallandmicroenterprises,vocationaltraining,entrepreneurship,youthdevelopment,industrial,commercial,legal,businessoradministrativematters.

(3) In making appointments to the Board, the Minister may take into account the principles of equality set outinSection9(1)ofthisDecree,necessaryfortheeffectiveoperationoftheBoard.

(4) TheMinistermustinvitebodiesrepresentingemployers,workersandotherrelevantorganisationssuchasvocationaltraininginstitutions,civilsocietyorganisations,womenandyouthorganisationstomakenominationsand shall appoint such nominees as members under subsections 1(d), (1) (e), (1) (f) 1(g), 1(h) and 1(i). (5) The Permanent Secretary is the chairperson of the Board.

(6) The Permanent Secretary must appoint a secretary to the Board.

(7) The Board may regulate its own procedures and must keep proper records of its proceedings.Functions and powers of the Board

18.—(1) The functions and powers of the Board are—

1395(a) toestablishtheoverarchingNationalEmploymentCentre’sstrategicplanandcorporateplanvision,

mission,values,targetsandstrategies,rationalisingandintegratingthestrategicplansandcorporateplansoftheFormalEmploymentService,theSelf-EmploymentService,theFijiVolunteerServiceandtheForeignEmploymentService;

(b) toensuretheachievementsoftheCentre’soverarchingstrategicplanandcorporateplantargetseveryyear,compatiblewithnationalunemploymentneedsandGovernment’scommitmentstothePeoplesCharterforChange,PeaceandProgress;

(c) toensureanefficientandeffectiveNationalEmploymentCentreestablishedundertheMinistrybythisDecree;

(d) toensureanefficientandeffectiveNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatestablishedunderthisDecree;

(e) toensuretheefficientandeffectiveconsolidationofallexistingemploymentcreationserviceswithinorunderthejurisdictionsofGovernmentministriesanddepartmentsundertheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatumbrella,operatingundertheMinistry’sjurisdiction;

(f) toensuretheefficientandeffectiveoperationsofalltheEmploymentCreationServicesestablishedunderthisDecree;

(g) toensuretheefficientandeffectiveimplementationofemploymentcreationpoliciesofGovernmentthroughthevariousEmploymentCreationServicesbywayofeffectivefacilitation,coordinationandmonitoringroles;

(h) toensureefficientandeffectivestrategicpartnershipswithvocational trainingandother traininginstitutions, including the disciplined forces to realise quality competency-based skills training for allattachés,volunteersandunemployedpersons;

(i) toensureanefficientandeffectivenationalregistrationsystemforalltheunemployedthroughouttheFijiIslands;

(j) toensuretheprovisionofqualityandprofessionalcounsellingservicestoallunemployedpersons;

(k) toensuretheestablishmentandsustainabilityoftheFijiVolunteerServiceandtheForeignEmploymentServicethroughtheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariat;

(l) tosearchandfindinnovativewaysorsecurepartnershipstosignificantlycreateandboostemploymentopportunitiesfortheunemployed,suchastheadoptionofprogressiveinformationandcommunicationtechnologiesintraininganddevelopment;

(m) to boost entrepreneurship skills training and the creation of small businesses locally through the provisionofseedfundingandtechnicalsupportservices;

(n) toeffectivelypromote, facilitateandboost localandoverseasemploymentopportunities throughprogressivemediamarketingandothereffectivestrategies;

(o) toeffectivelypromote,facilitateandboostparticipationintheFijiVolunteerServiceforserviceslocally,regionallyandinternationally;

(p) toeffectivelypromoteandfacilitatequalityskillstrainingandre-trainingorup-skillingofunemployedpersonsandworkers;

(q) toensurethetimelycollationandanalysisoflabourmarket‘supplyanddemand’informationanddatarelatingtoemploymentandunemploymenttofacilitatetheeffectivedeliveryoftheNationalEmploymentCentreandEmploymentCreationServices’corebusinesses;

(r) to provide andmaintain an efficient and current national human resources database systemonemploymentandunemploymenttoensurequalitypolicyadvicetotheMinisterandalsotofacilitatetheGovernment’shumanresourcesplanning,includingtheallocationofscholarships;

(s) toperiodicallyadvisetheMinisterontheperformancesofalltheEmploymentCreationServicesintermsofemploymentcreationgrowth;

1396(t) to assume and rationalise the employment creation responsibilities of existing boards or bodies

establishedbyanyof theEmploymentCreationServicesoperatingwithin the jurisdictionofanyGovernmentministryordepartmentforthepurposesoforganisationreformunderthisDecree;

(u) to decide on the allocation and distribution of human resources, operating and capital budgets and assetsamongsttheEmploymentCreationServicesandtheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatinaccordancewiththeGovernmentpolicytoestablishtheNationalEmploymentCentreandassociatedrestructuringreform;

(v) to decide, in consultation with the Minister, on the employment creation core businesses of the EmploymentCreationServicesduringtheestablishmentordesignationoftheFormalEmploymentService,theSelf-EmploymentService,theFijiVolunteerServiceortheForeignEmploymentService;

(w) to decide, based on the determination of employment creation core businesses under subsection (1)(v), therationalisationoforganisationstructuresandpositionsintheseServices,theirnumbers,grades,salarylevels,contractualtermsandconditionsofemploymentandperformancemanagementsystemstobeadoptedthatarecompatiblewiththemarketdemandsofthevariousemploymentandbusinessmarketstoensurethattheseServicesaremarket-driven,cost-efficientandcost-effective;

(x) to inquire into and report to the Minister on matters relating to employment creation referred to it by theMinister;

(y) to provide theMinisterwithbi-annual reports on theprogress in implementing the employmentcreationpoliciesofGovernmentunderthisDecree;and

(z) toadvisetheMinisteronanyotheremploymentcreationmatteraswellasmattersprovidedforbythisDecreeandanyotherwrittenlaw;

(2) TheBoardmayinviteanypersonitconsidersappropriatetoactinanadvisorycapacitytotheBoardinits deliberations.

(3) TheBoardmay appoint an advisory committee comprisingwhollyor partlyof personswho arenotmembersoftheBoardtoadvisetheBoardonanyemploymentcreationorentrepreneurshiprelatedmatter.

(4) The Board has powers necessary to carry out its functions as conferred on it by this Decree or any other written law.

(5) To facilitate the implementation of the Board’s functions under subsection (1), each Employment Creation Servicemustestablishitsownworkingcommittee.ThecommitteeistobechairedbytheChiefExecutiveOfficerormanageroftheEmploymentCreationService.

(6) TheChiefExecutiveOfficerormanagerofanEmploymentCreationServiceshallbedirectlyresponsibletotheBoardforthecorporatemanagementandleadershipoftheEmploymentCreationServicethroughtheNationalEmployment Centre Secretariat.

Allowances 19. AmemberoftheBoardoranadvisorycommitteeoranypersonappointedundersections17and18isentitledtoallowancestobefixedbytheMinister.

Term of office, leave, resignation and dismissal of members20.—(1) SubjecttothisPart,amemberoftheBoardholdsofficeforaperiodnotexceeding2yearsasspecifiedin the instrument of the member’s appointment, but is eligible for re-appointment.

(2) A member may resign from the Board in writing signed by the member of the Board, which takes effect upondeliverytotheMinister.

(3) Amember’sofficebecomesvacantifthememberfailstoattendtwoconsecutivemeetingsoftheBoardwithoutthepriorapprovalofthechairperson.

(4) TheMinistermayterminatetheappointmentofamemberformisbehaviour,bankruptcyorforothergoodreasons.

Meetings of the Board 21.—(1) ThechairpersonmustcallatleastonemeetingoftheBoardevery6monthsfortheperformanceof

1397its functions and the exercise of its powers.

(2) At a meeting of the Board—(a) thechairpersonandatleasthalfofnumberofothermembersconstituteaquorum;and

(b) questionsarisingmustbedeterminedbyamajorityvoteofthememberspresentandvoting,andintheeventofanequalityofvotes,thechairpersonhasacastingvote.

Annual report of the Board 22.—(1) The Board must prepare and submit to the Minister a report of its operations annually.

(2) A summary of the Board’s annual report must be included in the Ministry’s annual report.

PART 5—NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTRE SECRETARIATObject of this Part

23. The object of this Part is to establish the National Employment Centre Secretariat under the jurisdiction of the Ministry to be responsible to the Board for the facilitation, coordination and monitoring of national policies pertainingtoemploymentcreationmattersimplementedbytheEmploymentCreationServicestoboostemploymentopportunitiesandproductivity.

National Employment Centre Secretariat 24.—(1) The Minister shall, by notice in the Gazette, establish the National Employment Centre Secretariat.

(2) TheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatshallberesponsibletotheBoardfortheoverallconsolidation,coordination,facilitationandmonitoringoftheemploymentcreationpoliciesofGovernmentimplementedbytheFormalEmploymentService,theSelf-EmploymentService,theFijiVolunteerServiceandtheForeignEmploymentServiceestablishedordesignatedunderthisDecree.

Appointment of officers 25.—(1) Allchiefexecutiveofficers,managersandofficerstobeemployedundertheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariat,theFormalEmploymentService,theSelf-EmploymentService,theFijiVolunteerServiceandtheForeignEmploymentServiceshallbeappointedbytheMinisteronaperformance-basedcontracts.

(2) TheMinistershallappointanappropriatenumberofofficers,onperformance-basedcontracts,toeffectivelymanageandoperatetheNationalEmploymentCentreofficesthroughouttheFijiIslandsanditsSecretariat.

Compliance with quality management and governance systems 26.—(1) The operating systems and procedures of the National Employment Centre must comply with and becertifiedtotheISO9001qualitymanagementstandards.

(2) Subjecttosubsection(1),theNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatmustdesign,developandimplementa quality competency-based skills training package for its staff to ensure that they are competent to manage the ISO certifiedsystemsandprocessestotherequiredcustomerservicequalitystandards.

(3) ThegovernancesystemoftheNationalEmploymentCentremustcomplywiththeFijibusinessexcellencestandardsandthesocialresponsibilityguidelinesspecifiedundertheISO26000standards.

(4) TheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatmustdesign,developandimplementavalue-basedskillstraining package for its entire staff to ensure that they internalise the Fiji business excellence and social responsibility valuesandexhibitsocialresponsibilitybehavioursinaccordancewiththespiritofthebusinessexcellenceandISO26000 standards.

Other function and duties of the Secretariat 27. ThefunctionoftheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatistoprovidequalityservicestotheNationalEmploymentCentreBoardinorderfortheBoardtoprofessionallydeliveritsfunctionsunderPart4ofthisDecree,in addition to other duties required to be undertaken by the Secretariat under this Decree or delegated by the Board.

Integrated performance report 28.—(1) The National Employment Centre Secretariat must, in a timely manner, forward to the chairperson oftheBoardandtheMinisteracopyoftheintegratedperformancereportoftheFormalEmploymentService,theSelf-EmploymentService,theFijiVolunteerServiceandtheForeignEmploymentServiceonaquarterly,bi-annualand annual basis.

1398 (2) The integrated performance report must clearly state the key performance indicators committed in the respectiveannualcorporateplansandthetargetsachievedintermsofoutputsandoutcomesagainsttheseindicatorswithrelevantanalysisandqualifiedcommentsfromtheEmploymentCreationServices.

Integrated annual report 29. The National Employment Centre Secretariat must, in a timely manner, forward a copy of the integrated annualreportofalltheEmploymentCreationServicestothechairpersonoftheBoardandtheMinister,includingthehostMinistersoftherespectiveservices.

Analysis of performance and way forward 30.—(1) The integrated performance reports and annual reports must be discussed and thoroughly analysed by theBoardrelativetotheGovernment’svisiontoachievefullemploymentandboostproductivityforallitscitizens.The analysis must also capitalise on the dynamics and demands of the employment and business markets at the local, regionalandgloballevels.

(2) TheBoardmustusethefindingsandconclusionsemanatingfromthediscussionsandanalysisinsubsection(1)todynamicallypositionthecorebusinessactivities,missionandannualtargetsofalltheEmploymentCreationServicesandallocatetheirbudgetsandresourcesaccordinglyfortheensuingyear.

(3) Thecriticalreviewexerciserequiredunderthissectionmustbeundertakenatleastonceineverysix(6)monthsbytheBoardtoensurethatalltheEmploymentCreationServicesaremeetingthetargets,andtheyaremanagedethicallyandinacost-efficientandcost-effectivemanner.

PART 6—DESIGNATIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERSObject of this Part

31. TheobjectofthisPartistoestablishthepersonnelnecessaryforimplementingtheadministrativeaspectsof this Decree.

Administration of this Decree 32.—(1) The Board is responsible for the administration of this Decree on behalf of the Minister.

(2) TheBoardmustprovideacertificateofdesignationtoanofficerappointedforthepurposesofthisDecree.

(3) Whenexercisingany functionunder thisDecree, anofficerdesignatedunder subsection (2)must, ifrequiredbyapersonaffectedbytheexerciseofsuchfunction,producethecertificateofidentitytothatperson.

Delegation by the Board 33. TheBoardmaydelegateinwritingtoanofficertheexerciseofanypowerandtheperformanceofanydutyinrelationtoamatterorthingprovidedforbythisDecree.

Board may call for information 34.—(1) AdesignatedofficeroftheBoardmay,inwriting,requireanemployeroranEmploymentCreationServicetoprovideprescribedinformationnecessaryfortheeffectiveadministrationofthisDecree.

(2) Anemployerorpersonwhocontravenesthissectioncommitsanoffence.Institution of proceedings

35. AdesignatedofficeroftheBoardmay—(a) subject to any direction by the Director of Public Prosecutions, institute proceedings in the Employment

TribunalorEmploymentCourtinrespectofprescribedoffences,andmayprosecutesuchproceedings;or

(b) appear in the Employment Tribunal or Employment Court on behalf of an unemployed person or attachéorvolunteer,orinstitutecivilproceedingsonbehalfofanunemployedpersonorattachéorvolunteeragainstanemployerorapersoninrespectofamatterorthingorcauseofactionarisingoutoforinthecourseoftherecruitmentorattachmentoftheunemployedpersonorattachéorvolunteer.

Powers and functions of officers 36.—(1) AdesignatedofficeroftheBoardmayatallreasonabletimes—

(a) enter, inspect and examine a workplace where or about which an unemployed person or attaché or volunteerisattachedorwherethereisreasontobelievethatanunemployedpersonorattachéorvolunteerisattached;

1399(b) requireanemployertoproduceanyunemployedpersonorattachéorvolunteerattachedbytheemployer

and any document or record which the employer is required to keep under this Decree or any other documentorrecordrelatingtotheattachmentoftheunemployedpersonorattachéorvolunteer;

(c) interviewtheemployerorapersononamatterconnectedwithattachmentofunemployedpersonsorattachésorvolunteersunderthisDecree,andmayseekinformationfromanyotherpersonwhoseevidenceisconsideredtobenecessary;or

(d) inquire from an employer or a person acting on the employer’s behalf regarding matters connected with carrying out the functions of the Board under this Decree.

(2) AdesignatedofficeroftheBoard—(a) mustnotenteraprivatedwellinghousewithouttheconsentoftheoccupier;or

(b) ontheoccasionofavisitorinspection,mustnotifytheemployerortheemployer’srepresentativesofhisorherpresence,unlesstherearereasonablegroundsforbelievingthatsuchnotificationmaybe prejudicial to the performance of his or her duties.

(3) In the exercise of powers and functions under this Decree for the purpose of ensuring compliance with a provisionofthisDecree,adesignatedofficeroftheBoardmaycopyormakeextractsfromadocumentorrecordsinthepossessionofanemployerwhichrelatetoanunemployedpersonoranattachéoravolunteerunderattachment.

(4) In the exercise of powers and functions under this Decree for the purpose of ensuring compliance with aprovisionofthisDecree,adesignatedofficeroftheBoardmayissueademandnoticeorfixedpenaltynoticeasprescribed.

(5) AdesignatedofficeroftheBoardmay—(a) adviseandassistemployersandunemployedpersonsorattachésorvolunteersonparticularorgeneral

employmentrelationsmattersunderthisDecree;(b) provideinformation,advice,awarenessortrainingtoemployersandunemployedpersonsorattachés

orvolunteersortheirorganisationsonmattersunderthisDecree;or(c) formulate enterprise or national policies, codes, strategies and action plans on employment creation

matters.Interests and confidentiality

37.—(1) AdesignatedofficeroftheBoard—(a) mustdeclareanydirectorindirectinterestinaworkplaceunderhisorhersupervision;

(b) mustnotmakeuseoforreveal,includingafterleavingGovernmentservice,anymanufacturingorcommercialsecrets,workingprocessesorconfidentialinformationwhichmaycometohisorherknowledgeinthecourseofhisorherduties;or

(c) musttreatasconfidentialthesourceofacomplaintbringingtohisorhernoticeadefectorbreachoflegalprovisionsrelatingtoconditionsofworkandtheprotectionofunemployedpersons,attachésandvolunteers,whileengagedatwork,andmustgivenointimationtotheemployerortheemployer’srepresentativewhetheravisitorinspectionwasmadeinconsequenceofthereceiptofacomplaintfrom within the organisation or workplace.

(2) Apersonwhocontravenessubsection(1)commitsanoffence.

PART 7—CONDITIONS OF ENGAGEMENT OF THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTREObject of this Part

38. The object of this Part is to describe the conditions of engagement of the National Employment Centre inregardstocompulsoryregistration,privilegesandrightsofunemployedpersons,attachésandvolunteersenrolledintheactivitiesofanyoftheEmploymentCreationServicesandhowtheyareconducted,includingtheemployers’social responsibilities.

Compulsory registration of the unemployed 39.—(1) Any person who is unemployed or on part-time employment and at least 15 years of age must register

1400with the National Employment Centre as prescribed.

(2) Apersonwhocontravenessubsection(1)commitsanoffenceandisliableonconvictiontoafinenotexceeding$500.

(3) An unemployed person whose employment status changes must inform the National Employment Centre ofthatchangewithinsevendaysofthechange.

(4) TheNationalEmploymentCentreoranyoftheEmploymentCreationServicesmustallowanunemployedpersontherighttodisengagefromhisorherconditionsofengagementunderthisDecreewhenheorshefindsanyform of employment.

Engagement without compulsory registration 40. An employer or person may engage an unemployed as a trainee or under an oral or written contract before the unemployed is registered with the National Employment Centre.

Conditions of engagement to be in accordance with this Decree 41.—(1)Nopersonorenterprisemayengageanunemployedpersonorvolunteerunderaconditionofengagementexcept in accordance with this Decree or as prescribed.

(2) Apersonwhocontravenessubsection(1)commitsanoffence.

(3) Nothing in thisDecree prevents the application by agreement between the parties of conditions ofengagement,whicharemorefavourabletothepersonbeingengagedthanthosecontainedinthisDecree.

Conditions of engagement and allowances 42.—(1) Any condition of engagement must be made in writing as prescribed.

(2) TherelevantEmploymentCreationServicemustprovide50%oftheweeklyallowanceofanunemployedperson in accordance with the prescribed quantum of weekly allowance.

(3) AnemployerparticipatingunderanyoftheEmploymentCreationServicesisrequiredtocontribute50%to the prescribed weekly allowance of an unemployed person undertaking on-the-job training at the employer’s workplace.

(4) There shall not be any discrimination in the payment of weekly allowances with regards to race, gender ordisabilityforworkofequalvalue.

(5) Anemployerorpersonwhocontravenessubsection(4)commitsanoffence.Minimum age for employment or engagement

43. The age of 15 years is the minimum age for employment of children or for registration with the National EmploymentCentreorengagementunderanyoftheEmploymentCreationServicesunderthisDecree.

Employer’s social responsibility to promote employment 44. Anemployerwhoemploysmorethan50workersmustengagesuitablyqualifiedunemployedpersonsasattachésorvolunteersonaratioofatleast5%ofthetotalnumberofworkersemployedbytheemployer.

Code of Ethics 45. ThePermanentSecretaryshall,inconsultationwithstakeholders,developaCodeofEthicsonstandardsto guide all persons appointed to the Board, the National Employment Centre Secretariat, the Formal Employment Service,theSelf-EmploymentService,theFijiVolunteerServiceandtheForeignEmploymentServiceinperformingtheir duties, functions and powers under this Decree.

Counselling and referral services 46.—(1) TheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatshallfacilitatetheprovisionofqualitycounsellingservicestoallunemployedpersonsregisteredwiththeNationalEmploymentCentre.

(2) Thecounsellingservicesundersubsection(1)shallbedeliveredatthehighestlevelofprofessionalstandards(andwithconfidentialitywhererelevant)topromotethespiritual,mentalandpsychological,social,physicalandeconomic well-being of the unemployed person.

(3) TheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariatshallprovidequalityhumanresourceandaptitudeassessmentsandreferralservicesforunemployedpersons.

Strategic partnerships with training institutions and agencies 47.—(1) TheNationalEmploymentCentreshallsecurestrategicpartnershipswithvocationaltrainingorother

1401traininginstitutionsortrainingconsultantsforthepurposesofreviewingcurrentofferingsforlifeskillstraining,employmentskills,entrepreneurshipskillsandforeignemploymenttraininganddeliveringmodernandprogressivelifeskillsandemploymentskillstrainingpackagestotheEmploymentCreationServicesatcompetitivecostsonuser-pay basis.

(2) The contents of skills training include good faith values, peace-building conflict resolution culture,innovation and creativity, productivity culture, financial literacy, thrift budgeting and savings, cross-culturesensitisations,religions,racialandgenderharmony,preventionofHIV/AIDSanddrugs,environmentandsustainabledevelopment.

Strategic partnerships with the Fiji Disciplined Forces 48. TheNationalEmploymentCentreshallsecurestrategicpartnershipwiththedisciplinedforcestodeliverrelevantlifeskillstrainingofferingstotheEmploymentCreationServices.

Strategic partnerships with reputable international agencies 49. The National Employment Centre shall secure strategic partnerships with appropriate international training institutionsanddevelopmentagenciesforthepurposesofacquiringexpertsandtrainingconsultantstobuildthecapacityandcapabilityoftheNationalEmploymentCentreandtheEmploymentCreationServices.

Incentives for employment creation 50. TheNationalEmploymentCentreshallperiodicallyreview,formulateanddevelopeffectiveemploymentcreationandsmallbusinesscreationincentivesforsubmissiontotheMinisterforconsiderationandadoption.

Data management and use 51.—(1) TheNationalEmploymentCentreshallestablishandmaintainanefficientdatamanagementsystemon the labour market including the registration of unemployed persons and the supply and demand of labour in the labour market.

(2) TheNationalEmploymentCentreshallencourageprofessionalresearchanddevelopmentculturethroughthecollationandanalysisoflabourmarketinformationanddatafordisseminationtorelevantagenciesandthegeneralpublic through its periodical newsletter, publications and professional journals.

(3) Infacilitatingtheobjectiveinsubsection(2),theNationalEmploymentCentremayenterintostrategicpartnerships with local, regional and international agencies for better dissemination and marketing of its information, dataandservices.

Promotion of maximum utilisation of land to boost productivity 52.—(1) TheNationalEmploymentCentreshallestablishstrategicpartnershipswiththeNativeLandTrustBoard, the Ministry of Lands, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs with the aim to secureeffectivearrangementsforthemaximumutilisationofnativeland,statelandandfreeholdlandforsmallbusinesscreationtoproducemoreagriculture,marineandforestryproductstoboostproductivityinthedomesticand export markets.

(2) Topromoteitsvisioninsubsection(1), theNationalEmploymentCentreshallactivelyparticipateinreviewing,monitoring,formulationandimplementationoftheNationalExportStrategy.

Promotion of financial literacy and small and micro-finance facilities 53.—(1) TheNationalEmploymentCentreshallpromoteawarenessonfinancialliteracyandproductivityimprovementforsustainableenterprises.

(2) TheNationalEmploymentCentreshallalsosecuremicro-financefacilitiesforsmallbusinessesandself-employment,includingmicro-creditandmicro-savingstosustainenterprises.

Public awareness campaign 54. TheNationalEmploymentCentreshallprovidequalityadvice,mediamarketing,annualexposhowsandawarenessprogrammesandtrainingtoemployersandthegeneralpubliconthedevelopmentroleoftheNationalEmploymentCentre, including the legal requirementsand incentivesassociatedwithenrolmentofunemployedpersonsattheCentreandworkplaceattachmentswiththeEmploymentCreationServices.

PART 8—FORMAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICEObject of this Part

55. Theobject of this part is to establish theFormalEmploymentService under the jurisdictionof the

1402NationalEmploymentCentreasoneoftheEmploymentCreationServicesunderthisDecree.ThegoaloftheFormalEmploymentServiceistoprovidequalityhumanresourcedevelopmentservicetounemployedpersonstofacilitatetheirabsorptionintotheformalemploymentmarketandboostproductivity,includinggreenproductivity.

Establishment and designation of Formal Employment Service 56.—(1) TheMinistershallestablishaFormalEmploymentServiceunderthejurisdictionoftheNationalEmploymentCentreforthepurposesofprovidingqualitycounselling,lifeskillstraining,employmentskillstrainingandworkplaceattachmentservicesforunemployedpersonstoboosttheiremployabilityintheformalemploymentmarket.

(2) The Minister shall, by notice in the Gazette,designateandestablishtheNationalYouthServiceScheme(NYSS)operatingunderorhostedbytheDepartmentofYouthandSportstobetheFormalEmploymentService.

(3) ThemanagementandoperationoftheFormalEmploymentServicedesignatedandestablishedbytheMinister under this section shall be as prescribed.

Life skills training 57.—(1) AFormalEmploymentServicedesignatedandestablishedundersection56mustprovideaqualitylife skills training course compatible with the needs of unemployed persons, and recognised under the national qualificationframework.

(2) Alifeskillstrainingcourseprovidedundersubsection(1)mustbedesignedandconductedasprescribed,withtheaimofpromotingtheholisticdevelopmentofunemployedpersonsenablingthemtobecomedisciplinedandproductiveworkers.

(3) A trainer conducting any part or the whole of the life skills training course must be an accredited trainer.Employment skills training

58.—(1) AFormalEmploymentServicedesignatedandestablishedundersection56mustprovidequalityemployment skills training course compatible with the needs of unemployed persons, and recognised under the nationalqualificationframework.

(2) Anemploymentskillstrainingcourseprovidedundersubsection(1)mustbedesignedandconductedasprescribed,withtheaimofdevelopinggenericandspecificemploymentknowledgeandskillsthatarerelevanttothe demand of the employment market to facilitate the absorption of unemployed persons into formal employment.

(3) A trainer conducting any part or the whole of the employment skills training course must be an accredited trainer.

Workplace attachment 59.—(1) AFormalEmploymentService designated and establishedunder section56must arrangewithemployersoremployers’organisationstoprovidequalityworkplaceattachmentsforunemployedpersonsenrolledundertheService.

(2) TheFormalEmploymentServicemustprovidequalityadviceandawarenessprogrammestoemployersand thegeneralpublicon thedevelopment roleof theService, including the legal requirementsand incentivesassociated with workplace attachments.

(3) TheFormalEmploymentServicemustcloselyliaisewithemployersandemployers’organisations,andprovideeffectivesupervisionofallworkplaceattachmentsthroughouttheFijiIslandstoensurequalitymanagementand outcomes of the scheme for both the attachés and employers.

(4) Anemployerprovidingaworkplaceattachmentundersubsection(1)mustprepareanddeliverqualityon-the-job training programme to the attaché as prescribed, which is compatible to the needs of the employment market of the employer.

(5) Aspartoftheon-the-jobtrainingprogrammeundersubsection(4),theemployermustalsoprovidequalityorientationwithclearobjectivesoftheprogrammeandexpectedoutputsandoutcomestobeachievedbytheattachéat the end of the programme.

(6) Attheendoftheworkplaceattachment,theemployermustprovidetotheparticipantaCertificateofWorkplace Attachment under the employer’s letterhead, highlighting the participant’s attachment details as prescribed. AcopyoftheCertificateofWorkplaceAttachmentmustalsobesenttotheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariat.

1403 (7) At the end of the workplace attachment period, the employer is encouraged to recruit the participant as afull-timeworkerorapart-timeworkeroratraineeortobeplacedasareserveintheemployer’sdatabaseforanyfuture employment.

(8) Any recruitment by an employer under subsection (7) must comply with the fundamental principles and rightsatworkandtheequalemploymentopportunityprinciplesunderParts2and9respectivelyoftheEmploymentRelations Promulgation 2007.

(9) Tofacilitatetheprocessundersubsection(7), theFormalEmploymentServiceisrequiredtoprovidequalityjobplacementservicestomeettheneedsofboththeemployersandprospectiveworkers.

Employment taxation scheme 60.—(1) An employer who, in accordance with section 59—

(a) participatedintheworkplaceattachmentprogramme;(b) successfullyrecruitedavolunteeroranattachéattheendoftheworkplaceattachmentperiod;and(c) isverifiedbytheFormalEmploymentService,

iseligiblefortheincentivesundertheEmploymentTaxationScheme.

(2) Tofacilitatetheprocessinsubsection(1),theemployerandtheFormalEmploymentServicemustusetheprescribedformfortransmissiontotheChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheFijiIslandsRevenueandCustomsAuthority.

Strategic plan and annual corporate plan 61. TheFormalEmploymentServicemust,inatimelymanner,prepareandfinalisethestrategicplanandannualcorporateplanoftheServiceafterconsultationswithitsworkingcommittee,relevantstakeholders,staffoftheService,SecretariatandBoardoftheNationalEmploymentCentrebeforetheplansareendorsedbytheBoardandapprovedbytheMinister.

Compliance with quality management and governance systems 62.—(1) TheoperatingsystemsandproceduresoftheFormalEmploymentServicemustcomplywithandbecertifiedtotheISO9001qualitymanagementstandards.

(2) Subjecttosubsection(1),theFormalEmploymentServicemustdesign,developandimplementaqualitycompetency-based skills training package for its entire staff to ensure that they are competent to manage the ISO certifiedsystemsandprocessestotherequiredcustomerservicequalitystandards.

(3) Thegovernance systemof theFormalEmploymentServicemust alsocomplywith theFijibusinessexcellencecriteriaandthesocialresponsibilityguidelinesspecifiedundertheISO26000standards.

(4) TheFormalEmploymentServicemust design, develop and implement a value-based skills trainingpackageforitsentirestafftoensurethattheyinternalisetheFijibusinessexcellenceandsocialresponsibilityvaluesandexhibitsocialresponsibilitybehavioursinaccordancewiththespiritofthebusinessexcellenceandISO26000standards.

Performance reports 63.—(1) TheFormalEmploymentServicemust,inatimelymanner,finaliseandforwardtotheNationalEmployment Centre Secretariat, the chairperson of the National Employment Centre Board and the Minister a copy oftheperformancereportoftheFormalEmploymentServiceonaquarterly,bi-annualandannualbasis.

(2) The performance reports must clearly state the key performance indicators committed in the annual corporate planandthetargetsachievedintermsofoutputsandoutcomesagainsttheseindicatorswithrelevantanalysisandqualifiedcomments.

Annual report 64.—(1) TheFormalEmploymentServicemust,inatimelymanner,forwardacopyoftheannualreportoftheServicetotheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariat,thechairpersonoftheNationalEmploymentCentreBoardandtheMinister,includingthehostMinisteroftheService.

(2) TheannualreportoftheFormalEmploymentServicemustbeintegratedintotheannualreportoftheNationalEmploymentCentrewhichincludestheannualreportsoftheotherEmploymentCreationServices.

1404PART 9—SELF-EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

Object of this Part 65. TheobjectofthisPartistoestablishtheSelf-EmploymentServiceunderthejurisdictionoftheNationalEmploymentCentreasoneoftheEmploymentCreationServicesunderthisDecree.ThegoaloftheSelf-EmploymentServiceistoprovidequalityhumanresourcedevelopmentservicetounemployedpersonsandretireestohelpthemstartandsustaintheirownsmallormicroenterprises,localeconomicdevelopment(LED)programmesorsocialenterprisesasempoweredentrepreneurstoboostemploymentcreationandproductivity,includinggreenproductivityand green jobs.

Establishment and designation of Self-Employment Service 66.—(1) TheMinistershallestablishoneormoreSelf-EmploymentServicesunderthejurisdictionoftheNationalEmploymentCentreforthepurposeofprovidingqualitybusinessskillstrainingandadviceforunemployedpersonsandretireestofacilitatetheiractiveparticipationintheformal,informal,urbanandruralemploymentmarketsthrough the creation and sustaining of their own small or micro enterprises or other forms of self-employment.

(2) The Minister shall, by notice in the Gazette, designate and establish the Integrated Human Resource DevelopmentProgrammeforEmploymentPromotion(IHRDPEP)operatingunderorhostedbytheMinistryofNationalPlanning,theCentreforAppropriateTechnologyandDevelopment(CATD)operatingunderorhostedbytheMinistryofIndigenousAffairs,theNationalCentreforSmallandMicroEnterprisesDevelopment(NCSMED)operating under or hosted by theMinistry of Industry and anyother employment creation service to beSelf-EmploymentServices.

(3) Themanagement andoperationof theSelf-EmploymentServices designated and establishedby theMinister under this section shall be as prescribed.

Life skills training 67.—(1) ASelf-EmploymentServicedesignatedandestablishedundersection66mustprovideaqualitylife skills training course compatible with the needs of unemployed persons and retirees, and recognised under the nationalqualificationframework.

(2) Alifeskillstrainingcourseprovidedundersubsection(1)mustbedesignedandconductedasprescribed,withtheaimofpromotingtheholisticdevelopmentofunemployedpersonsandretireesenablingthemtobecomedisciplinedandproductiveworkersandentrepreneurs.

(3) A trainer conducting any part or the whole of the life skills training course must be an accredited trainer.Entrepreneurship skills training

68.—(1) ASelf-EmploymentService designated and establishedunder section 66must provide qualityentrepreneurship skills training course compatible with the needs of unemployed persons and retirees, and recognised underthenationalqualificationframework.

(2) Anentrepreneurshipskillstrainingcourseprovidedundersubsection(1)mustbedesignedandconductedasprescribed,withtheaimofdevelopinggenericorspecificbusinessknowledgeandskillsthatarerelevanttothebusinessneedsofsmallandmicroenterprises,localeconomicdevelopment(LED)programmesorsocialenterprisesto facilitate the successful participation of unemployed persons and retirees in self-employment as successful entrepreneurs.

(3) A trainer conducting any part or the whole of the entrepreneurship skills training course must be an accredited trainer.

Business attachment 69.—(1) ASelf-EmploymentServicedesignatedandestablishedundersection66mustarrangewithemployers’organisationsorsmallbusinessemployerstoprovidequalitybusinessattachmentsorbusinessincubatorservicesforunemployedpersonsandretireesenrolledundertheService.

(2) TheSelf-EmploymentServicemustprovidequalityadviceandawarenessprogrammestoemployers,entrepreneursandthegeneralpubliconthedevelopmentroleoftheserviceincludingthelegalrequirementsandincentivesassociatedwithbusinessattachmentsorbusinessincubatorservices.

(3) TheSelf-EmploymentServicemustcloselyliaisewithemployers’andentrepreneurs’organisations,andprovideeffectivesupervisionofallbusinessattachmentsorthosewithbusinessincubatorsthroughouttheFijiIslandsto ensure quality management and outcomes of the scheme for both the participants and employers.

1405

(4) Anemployerorentrepreneurprovidingabusinessattachmentorbusinessincubatorserviceundersubsection(1)mustprepareanddeliverqualityon-the-jobtrainingprogrammetounemployedpersonsorretireesasprescribed,whichiscompatiblewiththeneedsoftheself-employmentmarketsavailabletotheemployerorentrepreneur.

(5) As part of the on-the-job training programme under subsection (4), the employer or entrepreneur must providequalityorientationwithclearobjectivesoftheprogrammeandexpectedoutputsandoutcomestobeachievedby the participants at the end of the programme.

(6) At the endof thebusiness attachment, the employer or entrepreneurmust provide to theparticipantaCertificateofBusinessAttachmentunder theemployer’sorentrepreneur’sofficial letterhead,highlighting theparticipant’sattachmentdetailsasprescribed.AcopyoftheCertificateofBusinessAttachmentmustalsobesenttothe National Employment Centre Secretariat.

Starting small and micro enterprises 70.—(1) At the end of the business attachment period, an employer or entrepreneur may act as a mentor to a participant as the participant starts his or her small or micro enterprise through networking to promote sustainability of the new enterprise.

(2) Subjecttotheavailabilityoffund,theSelf-EmploymentServiceortheNationalEmploymentCentremustalsoprovidenecessaryseedfundingunderPart12oftheDecreeandtechnicalsupportservicetothenewentrepreneurto successfully establish and sustain his or her enterprise.

(3) The criteria for access to any seed funding by any unemployed person who has successfully completed theSelf-EmploymentServicetrainingandbusinessattachment,includinganysmallormicroenterprisethroughthesmallandmicro-financefacilitiesundersection53,andanytechnicalsupportserviceundersubsection(2),shallbeas prescribed.

(4) Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofsubsection(3),anofficeroftheSelf-EmploymentServicemustconductperiodicsitevisitsandmonitoringinspections,providingprofessionaladvicewhereneededtoensurethatthenewenterprise is operating successfully and also to ensure that its seed funding is properly utilised and accounted for the purposeitwasgiven.

(5) Theofficerconductingasitemonitoringvisitundersubsection(4)must,withinoneweek,providehisorhersitevisitreporttotheChiefExecutiveOfficerormanageroftheSelf-EmploymentServiceintheprescribedmanner.

(6) TheSelf-EmploymentServicemust,withinonemonth,thoroughlyanalyseallthefeedbackreportsacquiredundersubsection(5)andensurethattimelyandproperadviceandinterventionsaregiventothenewentrepreneurstopromotethesuccess,sustainabilityandproductivityofthenewenterprises.

Strategic plan and annual corporate plan 71.TheSelf-EmploymentServicemust,inatimelymanner,prepareandfinalisethestrategicplanandannualcorporateplanof theServiceafterconsultationswith itsworkingcommittee, relevant stakeholders, staffof theService,SecretariatandBoardoftheNationalEmploymentCentrebeforetheplansareendorsedbytheBoardandapprovedbytheMinister.

Compliance with quality management and governance systems 72.—(1) TheoperatingsystemsandproceduresoftheSelf-EmploymentServicemustcomplywithandbecertifiedtotheISO9001qualitymanagementstandards.

(2) Subjecttosubsection(1),theSelf-EmploymentServicemustdesign,developandimplementaqualitycompetency-based skills training package for its entire staff to ensure that they are competent to manage the ISO certifiedsystemsandprocessestotherequiredcustomerservicequalitystandards.

(3) ThegovernancesystemoftheSelf-EmploymentServicemustalsocomplywiththeFijibusinessexcellencecriteriaandthesocialresponsibilityguidelinesspecifiedundertheISO26000standards.

(4) TheSelf-EmploymentServicemustdesign,developandimplementavalue-basedskillstrainingpackageforitsentirestafftoensurethattheyinternalisetheFijibusinessexcellenceandsocialresponsibilityvaluesandexhibitsocialresponsibilitybehavioursinaccordancewiththespiritofthebusinessexcellenceandISO26000standards.

1406Performance reports

73.—(1) TheSelf-EmploymentServicemust, in a timelymanner, finalise and forward to theNationalEmployment Centre Secretariat, the chairperson of the National Employment Centre Board and the Minister a copy oftheperformancereportoftheSelf-EmploymentServiceonaquarterly,bi-annualandannualbasis.

(2) The performance reports must clearly state the key performance indicators committed in the annual corporate planandthetargetsachievedintermsofoutputsandoutcomesagainsttheseindicatorswithrelevantanalysisandqualifiedcomments.

Annual report 74.—(1) TheSelf-EmploymentServicemust,inatimelymanner,forwardacopyoftheannualreportoftheServicetotheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariat,thechairpersonoftheNationalEmploymentCentreBoardandtheMinister,includingthehostMinisteroftheService.

(2) TheannualreportoftheSelf-EmploymentServicemustbeintegratedintotheannualreportoftheNationalEmploymentCentrewhichincludestheannualreportsoftheotherEmploymentCreationServices.

PART 10—FIJI VOLUNTEER SERVICEObject of this Part

75. TheobjectofthisPartistoestablishtheFijiVolunteerServicetopromoteastrongsenseofserviceandcivicprideamongstthepeopleoftheFijiIslands.TheServiceoperatesnotonlyintheFijiIslandsbutalsothroughoutthe region and globally.

Goals of the Fiji Volunteer Service 76.—(1) ThepurposeoftheFijiVolunteerServiceistoengageunemployedpersonsandretireeswhowishtoservesocietyinthespiritofvolunteeringinanylocal,regionalorinternationalundertakings,includinggreengrowth projects.

(2) Inthehumandevelopmentprocess,apersonmaywishtobecomeaprofessionalvolunteerasanalternativeoraspartoftheirpersonaldevelopmentbeforebeingabsorbedintotheformalorself-employmentsectorseitherwithinFijioroverseas.

(3) Thegoaloftheserviceistodevelopastrongsenseofcivicprideandalleviatesocialproblemsinournation.Volunteeringisconsideredoneofthebestandproductiveformsofpersonalandprofessionaldevelopment,richlyaddingvaluetosocietyinthemostcost-effectiveandcaringwaysthroughfreecontributionofefforts,skillsandtimeincharitableventuresandhumanitarianassistancetothelessfortunatepeopleinsociety.

Establishment and designation of Fiji Volunteer Service 77.—(1) ThissectionestablishesaFijiVolunteerServiceunderthejurisdictionoftheNationalEmploymentCentreforthepurposesofprovidingqualitycounsellingandskillstrainingforunemployedpersonsandretirees,tofacilitatetheirengagementasprofessionalvolunteerswithintheFijiIslands,regionallyorinternationally.

(2) The Minister shall, by notice in the Gazette, designate and establish the Human Resource Management DivisionofthePublicServiceCommissiontobetheFijiVolunteerService.

(3) ThemanagementandoperationoftheFijiVolunteerServicedesignatedandestablishedbytheMinisterunder this section shall be as prescribed.

Life skills training 78.—(1) TheFijiVolunteerServicedesignatedandestablishedundersection77mustprovideaqualitylifeskills training course compatible with the needs of unemployed persons and retirees, and recognised under the national qualificationframework.

(2) Alifeskillstrainingcourseprovidedundersubsection(1)mustbedesignedandconductedasprescribed,withtheaimofpromotingtheholisticdevelopmentofunemployedpersonsandretireesenablingthemtobecomedisciplinedandproductivevolunteers.

(3) A trainer conducting any part or the whole of the life skills training course must be an accredited trainer.Employment skills training

79.—(1) TheFijiVolunteer Service designated and established under section 77must provide qualityemployment skills training course compatible with the needs of unemployed persons and retirees, and recognised underthenationalqualificationframework.

1407

(2) Anemploymentskillstrainingcourseprovidedundersubsection(1)mustbedesignedandconductedasprescribed,withtheaimofdevelopinggenericandspecificemploymentknowledgeandskillsthatarerelevanttotheneedsofvolunteersandthedemandsoftheprojectstheyareassignedto.

(3) A trainer conducting any part or the whole of the employment skills training course must be an accredited trainer.

Volunteer assignment 80.—(1) TheFijiVolunteerServicedesignatedandestablishedundersection77mayarrangewithemployers’organisationsoremployersorcivilsocietyorganisationsorregionalagenciesorinternationalagenciesorotherbodiestoprovideappropriatevolunteerassignmentsforunemployedpersonsandretireesenrolledundertheService.

(2) TheFijiVolunteerServicemustprovideadviceandawareness training toemployersand thegeneralpubliconthedevelopmentroleoftheService,includingthelegalrequirementsandbenefitsassociatedwithvolunteerassignments.

(3) TheFijiVolunteerServicemustcloselyliaisewithemployers’organisations,employers,civilsocietyorganisations,theMinistryofForeignAffairs,theFijiIslandsoverseasembassiesandotherbodiestoprovideeffectivemanagementandsupervisionofallvolunteerassignmentsthroughouttheFijiIslandsandabroadtoensurequalityoutcomesoftheschemefortheparticipants,employers,relevantagenciesandtheGovernment.

(4) Anyengagementofvolunteersmustalsocomplywith the fundamentalprinciplesand rightsatworkandtheequalemploymentopportunityprinciplesunderParts2and9respectivelyoftheEmploymentRelationsPromulgation 2007.

(5) TheMinistermayprescribeotheradministrationmattersassociatedwiththeFijiVolunteerServiceintheRegulations.

Strategic plan and annual corporate plan 81. TheFijiVolunteerServicemust,inatimelymanner,prepareandfinalisethestrategicplanandannualcorporateplanof theServiceafterconsultationswith itsworkingcommittee, relevant stakeholders, staffof theService,SecretariatandBoardoftheNationalEmploymentCentrebeforetheplansareendorsedbytheBoardandapprovedbytheMinister.

Compliance with quality management and governance systems 82.—(1) TheoperatingsystemsandproceduresoftheFijiVolunteerServicemustcomplywithandbecertifiedto the ISO 9001 quality management standards.

(2) Subject to subsection (1), theFijiVolunteerServicemust design, develop and implement a qualitycompetency-based skills training package for its entire staff to ensure that they are competent to manage the ISO certifiedsystemsandprocessestotherequiredcustomerservicequalitystandards.

(3) ThegovernancesystemoftheFijiVolunteerServicemustalsocomplywiththeFijibusinessexcellencecriteriaandthesocialresponsibilityguidelinesspecifiedundertheISO26000standards.

(4) TheFijiVolunteerServicemustdesign,developandimplementavalue-basedskillstrainingpackageforitsentirestafftoensurethattheyinternalisetheFijibusinessexcellenceandsocialresponsibilityvaluesandexhibitsocialresponsibilitybehavioursinaccordancewiththespiritofthebusinessexcellenceandISO26000standards.

Performance reports 83.—(1) TheFijiVolunteerServicemust,inatimelymanner,finaliseandforwardtotheNationalEmploymentCentre Secretariat, the chairperson of the National Employment Centre Board and the Minister a copy of the performancereportoftheFijiVolunteerServiceonaquarterly,bi-annualandannualbasis.

(2) The performance reports must clearly state the key performance indicators committed in the annual corporate planandthetargetsachievedintermsofoutputsandoutcomesagainsttheseindicatorswithrelevantanalysisandqualifiedcomments.

Annual report 84.—(1) TheFijiVolunteerServicemust,inatimelymanner,forwardacopyoftheannualreportoftheServicetotheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariat,thechairpersonoftheNationalEmploymentCentreBoardandtheMinister,includingthehostMinisteroftheService.

1408 (2) TheannualreportoftheFijiVolunteerServicemustbeintegratedintotheannualreportoftheNationalEmploymentCentrewhichincludestheannualreportsoftheotherEmploymentCreationServices.

PART 11—FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT SERVICEObject of this Part

85. Theobject of thisPart is to establish theForeignEmploymentServiceunder the jurisdictionof theNationalEmploymentCentreasoneoftheEmploymentCreationServicesunderthisDecree.ThegoaloftheForeignEmploymentServiceistoprovidequalityhumanresourcedevelopmentservicetounemployedpersonsandretireestofacilitatetheirabsorptionintodecentandenvironmentally-responsibleoverseasemploymenttoboostemploymentcreationandproductivity.

Establishment and designation of Foreign Employment Service 86.—(1) TheMinistershallestablishaForeignEmploymentServiceunderthejurisdictionoftheNationalEmploymentCentreforthepurposesofprovidingqualityforeignemploymentserviceswhichinvolveorientationtraining to the unskilled, semi-skilled or skilled unemployed persons and retirees, to facilitate their recruitment into the foreign employment market.

(2) The Minister shall, by notice in the Gazette, designate and establish the Foreign Employment Unit operated underorhostedbytheMinistryofLabourtobetheForeignEmploymentService.

(3) TheForeignEmploymentServiceshallcloselyliaisewiththeMinistryofForeignAffairsandshallabidebyrelevantinternationaltreatiesandprotocolsthatbindtheGovernment.

(4) ThemanagementandoperationoftheForeignEmploymentServicedesignatedandestablishedbytheMinister under this section shall be as prescribed.

Life skills training 87.—(1) TheForeignEmploymentServicedesignatedandestablishedundersection86mustprovideaqualitylifeskillstrainingcoursecompatiblewiththeoverseasemploymentneedsofunemployedpersonsandretirees,andrecognisedunderthenationalqualificationframework.

(2) Alifeskillstrainingcourseprovidedundersubsection(1)mustbedesignedandconductedasprescribed,withtheaimofpromotingtheholisticdevelopmentofunemployedpersonsandretireesenablingthemtobecomedisciplinedandproductiveforeignemploymentworkers.

(3) A trainer conducting any part or the whole of the life skills training course must be an accredited trainer.Employment skills training

88.—(1) TheForeignEmploymentServicedesignatedandestablishedundersection86mustprovidequalityemployment skills training course compatible with the foreign employment needs of unemployed persons and retirees, andrecognisedunderthenationalqualificationframework.

(2) Anemploymentskillstrainingcourseprovidedundersubsection(1)mustbedesignedandconductedasprescribed,withtheaimofdevelopinggenericandspecificemploymentknowledgeandskillsthatarerelevanttothe needs of unemployed persons and retirees and the demands of the targeted foreign employment markets.

(3) A trainer conducting any part or the whole of the employment skills training course must be an accredited trainer.

Pre-departure orientation training 89.—(1) TheForeignEmploymentServicedesignatedandestablishedundersection86mustarrangeandimplementqualitypre-departuretrainingtoeffectivelyorientatepersonssuccessfullyrecruitedtocommenceforeignemployment contracts.

(2) TheForeignEmploymentServicemustprovideadviceandraiseawarenesstothegeneralpubliconthedevelopmentroleoftheService,includingthelegalrequirementsandminimumconditionsofemploymentassociatedwith foreign employment contracts.

(3) TheForeignEmployment Servicemust closely liaisewith employment agencies, local employers’organisations,overseasemployers,theMinistryofForeignAffairsandtheFijiIslandsoverseasembassiestoprovideeffectivemanagementandsupervisionofallforeignemploymentcontractstoensurequalityoutcomesoftheschemefortheparticipants,overseasemployersandtheGovernment.

1409 (4) TheMinistermayprescribeotheradministrationmattersassociatedwiththeForeignEmploymentServicein the Regulations.

Attestation of foreign contracts 90.—(1) Any‘foreigncontractofservice’mustbesubmittedbythelocalemploymentagencyoroverseasemployer to the Permanent Secretary for attestation before it is signed by the worker.

(2) Enlisting,registration,recruitmentordeploymentofanypersonforemploymentunderany‘foreigncontractofservice’byanemploymentagencymustcomplywiththerelevantrequirementsoftheEmploymentRelationsPromulgation 2007 and the Employment Relations (Employment Agencies) Regulations 2008.

(3) Tofacilitatetheprocessundersubsection(2),theForeignEmploymentServiceisrequiredtoprovidequalityjobplacementservicestomeettheneedsofboththeoverseasemployersandprospectivelocalworkers.

Strategic plan and annual corporate plan 91. TheForeignEmploymentServicemust,inatimelymanner,prepareandfinalisethestrategicplanandannualcorporateplanoftheServiceafterconsultationswithitsworkingcommittee,relevantstakeholders,staffoftheService,SecretariatandBoardoftheNationalEmploymentCentrebeforetheplansareendorsedbytheBoardandapprovedbytheMinister.

Compliance with quality management and governance systems 92.—(1) TheoperatingsystemsandproceduresoftheForeignEmploymentServicemustcomplywithandbecertifiedtotheISO9001qualitymanagementstandards.

(2) Subjecttosubsection(1),theForeignEmploymentServicemustdesign,developandimplementaqualitycompetency-based skills training package for its entire staff to ensure that they are competent to manage the ISO certifiedsystemsandprocessestotherequiredcustomerservicequalitystandards.

(3) ThegovernancesystemoftheForeignEmploymentServicemustcomplywiththeFijibusinessexcellencecriteriaandthesocialresponsibilityguidelinesspecifiedundertheISO26000standards.

(4) TheForeignEmploymentServicemust design, develop and implement a value-based skills trainingpackageforitsentirestafftoensurethattheyinternalisetheFijibusinessexcellenceandsocialresponsibilityvaluesandexhibitsocialresponsibilitybehavioursinaccordancewiththespiritofthebusinessexcellenceandISO26000standards.

Performance reports 93.—(1) TheForeignEmploymentServicemust,inatimelymanner,finaliseandforwardtotheNationalEmployment Centre Secretariat, the chairperson of the National Employment Centre Board and the Minister a copy oftheperformancereportoftheForeignEmploymentServiceonaquarterly,bi-annualandannualbasis.

(2) The performance reports must clearly state the key performance indicators committed in the annual corporate planandthetargetsachievedintermsofoutputsandoutcomesagainsttheseindicatorswithrelevantanalysisandqualifiedcomments.

Annual report 94.—(1) TheForeignEmploymentServicemust,inatimelymanner,forwardacopyoftheannualreportoftheServicetotheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariat,thechairpersonoftheNationalEmploymentCentreBoardandtheMinister,includingthehostMinisteroftheService.

(2) TheannualreportoftheForeignEmploymentServicemustbeintegratedintotheannualreportoftheNationalEmploymentCentrewhichincludestheannualreportsoftheotherEmploymentCreationServices.

PART 12—NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CENTRE TRUST FUNDObject of this Part

95. The object of this Part is to establish a National Employment Centre Trust Fund to be held in trust by the nominatedrepresentativesoftheNationalEmploymentCentreBoardastrusteesoftheFund.TheFundmaybeappliedbytheMinister,ontheadviceoftheBoard,forthepurposesofdefrayingtheexpensesoftheNationalEmploymentCentre and the promotion and creation of employment and business opportunities in the formal employment market, self-employmentmarket,Fijivolunteerserviceortheforeignemploymentmarket,includingtheincentivisationofgreenjobs,greengrowthandgreenproductivity.

1410The Fund

96.—(1) There shall be established in the special deposits account within the Ministry a National Employment Centre Trust Fund.

(2) The Fund shall consist of—(a) anymoneyprovidedbyCabinetorParliamentforthepurposesoftheFundorrequiredtobepaidinto

theFundbyorunderthisoranyotherlaw;(b) anygrantordonationpaidintotheFundfromanylocal,regionalorinternationalagencyorcharity;(c) anygrantpaidintotheFundfromanyGovernment;(d) any grant, contribution or donation paid into the Fund from any local, regional or international corporate

entityorindividual;(e) anydonationpaidintotheFundfromthepublic;(f) anydonationpaidintotheFundfromanyphilanthropistorbybequestorfund-raisingactivity;(g) anyinvestmentreturnonanyoftheFund’sassets;(h) anyprescribeduser-payservicesrevenueacquiredbytheNationalEmploymentCentreoranyofits

EmploymentCreationServices;(i) any grant, contribution or donation paid into the Fund from any local, regional or international training

institution;and(j) any other donation or contribution paid into the Fund.

(3) There shall be paid out of the Fund all amounts payable under section 97 of this Decree and all other amounts required to be paid out of the Fund by or under this Decree.

(4) The management of the Fund, including the receipt of monies into the Fund, the payment of monies out of theFundandinvestmentoftheFund,shallbeinaccordancewithinternationalaccountingbestpracticeasprescribed.

Payments of the Fund 97.—(1) ThemoneystandingtothecreditoftheFundmaybeappliedbytheMinister,ontheadviceoftheBoard,forthepurposesofdefrayingtheexpensesofthefollowingactivitiesassociatedwithemploymentcreation—

(a) lifeskills,employmentskillsandentrepreneurshipskillstraining;(b) trainingforsmallandmicroenterprises(SME),socialenterprisesandLocalEconomicDevelopment

(LED)programmes;(c) seedfundingforsmallandmicroenterprises,socialenterprisesandLEDprogrammes;(d) incentiveschemes,includingthepromotionofgreenjobsandgreenindustries;(e) financingoftheNationalEmploymentCentreanditsnetworkoffices;(f) financingoftheNationalEmploymentCentreSecretariat;(g) financingoftheFormalEmploymentService;(h) financingoftheSelf-EmploymentService;(i) financingoftheFijiVolunteerService;(j) financingoftheForeignEmploymentService;(k) mediamarketingandpromotionofemploymentcreation,includingexposhows;(l) awarenessprogrammesandtrainingtoemployers,thegeneralpublicandotherstakeholders;(m) marketresearchandpolicyorserviceproductdevelopmentrelatingtoanyemploymentpromotion

oremploymentcreationactivity;(n) prudentinvestmenttomaximisethereturnsontheFund;(o) professionalcounsellingofunemployedpersons;(p) informationandcommunicationtechnologieswithdatamanagement;(q) consultanciesonemploymentcreationmatters;(r) financingoftheBoardoperations;(s) assetsincludingtransportationandrecreationalfacilities;(t) local,regionalorinternationalcooperationoragreementsonlabourmobilitymatters;

1411(u) servicingofstrategicpartnershipagreements;(v) complianceandcertificationtointernationalstandardsandbestpractices;and(w) anyotheractivityconsideredbytheBoardortheMinistertopromotethevisionandmissionofthe

NationalEmploymentCentreoranyofitsEmploymentCreationServices.

(2) TheBoard shall provide an auditedfinancial account of theFund to theMinister onor before 30thSeptember in each year.

PART 13—OFFENCESOffence to delay or obstruct officer

98.—(1) A person who—(a) wilfullydelaysorobstructsanofficerperformingadutyconferredbythisDecree;(b) failstocomplywithadirection,requirement,request,demandorinquiryoftheofficerinaccordance

withthepowersconferredbythisDecree;or(c) concealsorpreventsapersonfromappearingbeforeorbeingexaminedbytheofficer,

commitsanoffenceandisliableonconvictiontoafinenotexceeding$10,000ortoatermofimprisonmentnotexceeding 12 months.

(2) A person who—(a) makes or causes to be made or knowingly allows to be made an entry in a record required under this

Decreetobekeptbyemployers,whichthepersonknowstobefalseinamaterialparticular;or

(b) produces,provides,causesorallowstobeproducedorprovided,arecord,listorinformationwhichthe person knows to be false in a material particular,

commitsanoffenceandisliableonconvictiontoafinenotexceeding$10,000ortoatermofimprisonmentnotexceeding 12 months or both.

General penalty 99. ApersonwhocommitsanoffenceunderthisDecreeforwhichnoparticularpenaltyisprovided,isliableonconviction—

(a) foranindividual,toafinenotexceeding$10,000ortoatermofimprisonmentnotexceeding2yearsorboth;

(b) foracompanyorcorporation,toafinenotexceeding$50,000;and(c) whereapplicable,todisqualificationfromholdinganypositionoftheNationalEmploymentCentre

SecretariatoranyoftheEmploymentCreationServices.

PART 14 — MISCELLANEOUSProtection against civil and criminal proceedings

100. Noactionorproceeding,civilorcriminal,liesagainstthePermanentSecretaryoranofficeroramemberof an institution or body established by or under this Decree, for anything done or omitted in good faith in the exercise or purported exercise of their functions under this Decree.

Time for instituting proceedings for offences 101. Notwithstanding anything in any other written law, proceedings for an offence against this Decree may be instituted within the period of 12 months after the act or omission alleged to constitute the offence except that the Courtmaygrantleavetoextendsuchperiodforafurther6months.

Fixed penalties 102.—(1) Thefixedpenaltiesforwhichfixedpenaltynoticesmaybeissuedareasprescribed.

(2) AnofficerauthorisedinwritingbytheBoardmayissueafixedpenaltynoticeforthepurposeofthisDecree.

(3) Thefixedpenaltynoticemustbeissuedintheprescribedformandcontaintheprescribedmatters.

(4) Thepenaltiesprescribed infixedpenaltynotices shall not exceedone-fifthof themaximumpenaltyprescribed for that offence.

1412Regulations

103.—(1) TheMinistermay,onadviceoftheEmploymentRelationsAdvisoryBoard,makeregulationstogiveeffecttoanyoftheprovisionsofthisDecree,andinparticulartomakeregulationsforanyofthefollowingpurposes—

(a) providing for the particulars to be contained in any condition of engagementwith theNationalEmployment Centre under Part 7 of this Decree, including data management, attachment allowances, workplacestrategicpartnershipsandcompulsoryregistrationofunemployedpersons;

(b) prescribing matters relating to life skills training, employment skills training, entrepreneurship skillstraining,workplaceattachments,certificatesofattachments,volunteerassignments,businessattachments, foreign employment and the management, operation and monitoring of any of these mattersunderParts8,9,10and11ofthisDecree;

(c) prescribing the records, registers, books, accounts and other documents to be kept and the information orreturnstoberenderedbyemployersandotherpersonsinrespectofattachés,volunteersandforeignemployment;

(d) prescribingmattersrelatingto thepromotionofvocational trainingandrehabilitationintodecentemploymentforpersonswithdisabilities;

(e) prescribingfixedpenalties,feesandformsunderthisDecree;(f) prescribing matters relating to the management of the National Employment Centre Trust Fund under

Part12ofthisDecree,includingseedfundingcriteria;(g) prescribing matters relating to the promotion, creation and sustenance of green jobs, green industries

andgreengrowth;and(h) prescribing all matters which are required or needed to be prescribed by this Decree.

(2) Regulationsmadeundertheprovisionsofsubsection(1)mayimposeconditions,requireactsorthingstobeperformedordonetothesatisfactionoftheNationalEmploymentCentreBoardorSecretariatorofficersoftheEmploymentCreationServicesandempowerthedesignatedofficeroftheBoardtoissueorderseitherorallyorinwriting prohibiting acts or things from being performed or done or requiring acts or things to be performed or done, andprescribeperiodsordatesupon,withinorbeforewhichtheconditionsmustbefulfilled,andprovideforappealsagainst orders, notices or directions.

(3) RegulationsmadeunderthisDecreemayimposeafinenotexceeding$10,000oratermofimprisonmentnot exceeding 1 year or both.

(4) TheMinistermay,ontheadviceoftheEmploymentRelationsAdvisoryBoard,issuecodesofpracticeor guidelines for the purposes of this Decree.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND this 21st day of December 2009.

EPELI NAILATIKAUPresident of the Republic of Fiji

Price:$2.10 R.S.OLI,ActingGovernmentPrinter,Suva,Fiji—2009 201/FGG/09—1,200 Official Printer Since 1883