[Tonga] Chamber says timing wrong for Employment Relations Act 2020

In a widely circulated notice, Tonga's Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (TCCI) has urged the government to delay enforcement of the new Employment Relations Act 2020 “until we are able to recover from the effects of this global pandemic.” The notice further states, “With the current dire circumstances of the economy due to COVID-19, it is not the time to introduce new policies and legislation that may have a negative impact on the private sector,” 

“We are trying to confirm an appointment with the relevant Ministry to request that they consider a deferment of the implementation date of the legislation until we are able to recover from the effects of this global pandemic,” TCCI said.

On September 8, the Employment Relations Bill 2020 was passed by the Legislative Assembly to become an Act of Parliament. The next step is for the Act to be presented to King Tupou VI for assent. It needs to be Gazetted before it becomes Law. Matangi Tonga Online reports TCCI’s concerns and looks at vulnerable sectors under the Act.

In a widely circulated notice, Tonga's Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (TCCI) has urged the government to delay enforcement of the new Employment Relations Act 2020 “until we are able to recover from the effects of this global pandemic.” The notice further states, “With the current dire circumstances of the economy due to COVID-19, it is not the time to introduce new policies and legislation that may have a negative impact on the private sector,” 

“We are trying to confirm an appointment with the relevant Ministry to request that they consider a deferment of the implementation date of the legislation until we are able to recover from the effects of this global pandemic,” TCCI said.

On September 8, the Employment Relations Bill 2020 was passed by the Legislative Assembly to become an Act of Parliament. The next step is for the Act to be presented to King Tupou VI for assent. It needs to be Gazetted before it becomes Law. Matangi Tonga Online reports TCCI’s concerns and looks at vulnerable sectors under the Act.