The International Labour Organisation says the picture is bleak for both workers and employers in the Pacific because of Covid-19.
Elena Gerasimova is the ILO's international labour standards specialist for the Pacific. Photo: Supplied
The ILO is continuing to assess the impact of the coronavirus on business and employment in the region.
Tens of thousands of Pacific workers had already either lost their jobs or were on reduced hours.
Elena Gerasimova, from the ILO's Pacific office, said the organisation received requests for support from workers, employers and small to medium businesses.
Ms Gerasimova said there were guidelines for member states to use during the pandemic.
"There are lots of complications, problems and challenges for workers, employers and governments because there is a serious, very serious impact of the Covid-19 on their employment and on economies.
"Lots of companies are closed while many companies may become bankrupt and people are losing their jobs."
Ms Gerasimova said assessment reports would be sent to local governments.
The ILO said the pandemic had posed "the most severe crisis since World War Two" and was expected to wipe out 6.7 percent of working hours across the world in the second quarter of the year.
The ILO said the safety and health of the workforce was paramount and urged governments to take action to prevent and control the virus in the workplace.
"It is only by implementing occupational safety and health measures that we can protect the lives of workers, their families and the larger communities, ensure work continuity and economic survival," ILO director-general Guy Ryder said in a statement.
Photo: ILO
Assessments underway
Elena Gerasimova said there was guidance on how international labour standards could be used by Pacific nations during the Covid-19 crisis.
She said assessments had already begun in Fiji and would follow in other Pacific countries "looking at what the demand is there".
"We will also look at which standards are particularly relevant and how various practices may be changed and adopted now to support workers and employers because there is a huge request to support employment, employers and businesses, especially small and medium businesses in this situation.
"Countries have different forms of support and the individual requests for assistance would also differ based on their situations."
Tripartite talks in Fiji
Meanwhile, Elena Gerasimova said prior to the coronavirus reaching Fiji in March, a meeting was held between the government and representatives of the workers and employers in which the ILO also attended.
She said discussions centred on "preferable measures to be undertaken by all parties involved and the types of compensation."
But she said those discussions had since been shelved as they were held before the government announced its revised Budget and Covid-19 stimulus package.
The tripartite agreement was signed in 2015 between the government, the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation and the Fiji Trades Union Council to ensure smoother employment relations.
But in February, the unions claimed the government was not playing fair under the ILO-sanctioned tripartite agreement.
The allegations came after some trade union leaders and members were arrested and charged with malicious behaviour under the Public Order Act in March last year.
Fiji Trades Union Congress general secretary Felix Anthony was among those arrested after members protested the termination of more than 2000 jobs at the Water Authority.
Workers at the Water Authority of Fiji protest in March last year. Photo: Supplied
ILO mission delayed
Earlier, Elena Gerasimova said the issues in Fiji were related to freedom of association and that many of the ILO's plan of action could not be implemented due to Covid-19.
She said some of the objectives would need to be revised even after the pandemic.
"There were some steps undertaken and we will continue to work with the government that there is a quick movement, very dynamic movement. There were some movements happening within the last few months or so.
"And we'll continue discussing the issues raised by the ILO which are covered by the trends and limitations reports, particularly the essential services list and the reform amendments of the Employment Relations Act. So we'll work with the government on all those issues."
Ms Gerasimova said an ILO direct contact mission scheduled to arrive in Fiji this month had been postponed.
"With restrictions including international travel and gatherings, the Fiji government requested the ILO defer the mission and it was approved.
"But that doesn't mean that the direct contact mission will not take place. It will take place but at a later date."
