---
title: Commercial Law Updates | Siwatibau & Sloan
description: Commercial law updates from Fiji and other Pacific legal jurisdictions
---

![top-bg.png](https://www.sas.com.fj/hs-fs/hubfs/SAS-2016/Image/top-bg.png?width=1700&name=top-bg.png "top-bg.png")

[![Sas-Logo.png](https://www.sas.com.fj/hs-fs/hubfs/SAS-2016/Image/Sas-Logo.png?width=522&name=Sas-Logo.png "Sas-Logo.png")](https://sas-com-fj-2572114-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/homepage)

![Linked IN](https://www.sas.com.fj/hs-fs/hubfs/Linked%20IN.jpg?width=5185&name=Linked%20IN.jpg "Linked IN")

# Commercial Law Updates

![](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/content/email-template-images/placeholder_200x200.png)

## Siwatibau & Sloan

## Recent Posts

## [Fiji Employment Law Update: Covid-19 has led to an amendment to the Employment Relations Act](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/fiji-employment-law-update-covid-19-has-led-to-an-amendment-to-the-employment-relations-act)

[![](https://www.sas.com.fj/hubfs/IMG-5743.jpg) ](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/fiji-employment-law-update-covid-19-has-led-to-an-amendment-to-the-employment-relations-act)

** Jun 1, 2020 / by [Siwatibau & Sloan](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/author/siwatibau-sloan) posted in [Fiji employment law](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/topic/fiji-employment-law), [Commercial lawyers Fiji](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/topic/commercial-lawyers-fiji), [Fiji lawyers](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/topic/fiji-lawyers), [Employment Law Fiji](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/topic/employment-law-fiji), [Covid19 Fiji](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/topic/covid19-fiji)

The Fiji government's response to the public health crisis posed by Covid-19 has been swift, and remarkable. At the time of writing this response based on WHO advice has reduced the known cases of Covid 19 in Fiji to 3 active cases bringing the number down from a peak of 18. This is a notable achievement, but Fiji's success has come with a steep economic cost.  

In our firm's guidance to employers on 18 March 2020 ([available here](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/fiji-employment-law-update-covid-19-global-pandemic-guidance-for-employers-and-employees)) published just before Fiji confirmed its first Covid-19 case, we noted that employers and employees may find solutions together to respond to the unprecedented situation. This is based on the premise that employers and employees have the option to work together *in good faith* to find compromises to employment relationships within the law. The unfortunate reality is that if an employer cannot afford meet wage obligations then employment will end for one reason or another. A little over 2 months after Fiji's first Covid-19 case many of us are aware of a number of Fiji employers who have had no choice but to terminate employment contracts, follow redundancy processes or seek to reduce wages. In exercising all of these options the employer still has the duty to act in good faith. 

On 28 May 2020, the Government of Fiji introduced a Bill before the Parliament of Fiji, Bill No. 12 of 2020, that has passed into law as the Employment Relations (Amendment) Act 2020 **(“Amendment”). **The Amendment has changed Fiji's employment law with the aim of addressing difficulties faced by businesses due to COVID-19. The intention behind the Bill was explained in the explanatory note to the Bill as *“to provide for a more realistic work environment which enables the sustainability of jobs and businesses, and to clarify the meaning of “an act of God” in the Act during the COVID-19 period”*.

This commercial law update outlines some of the major changes that this Amendment has made to the law, and how it relates to other sections of the Employment Relations Act 2007 **(“ERA”)** such as termination of employment and redundancy. 

This article is for information purposes only and is not and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We strongly recommend that any employer or employee concerned about an employment law problem or issue should seek legal advice.

[Read More **](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/fiji-employment-law-update-covid-19-has-led-to-an-amendment-to-the-employment-relations-act)

## [Fiji Employment Law update: Covid-19 pandemic: guidance in a time of global economic downturn](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/fiji-employment-law-update-covid-19-global-pandemic-guidance-for-employers-and-employees)

[![](https://www.sas.com.fj/hubfs/Parliament%20at%20night.jpg) ](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/fiji-employment-law-update-covid-19-global-pandemic-guidance-for-employers-and-employees)

** Mar 18, 2020 / by [Siwatibau & Sloan](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/author/siwatibau-sloan) posted in [Employment Law Fiji](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/topic/employment-law-fiji), [Covid19 Fiji](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/topic/covid19-fiji)

At the time of writing there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Fiji *(following publication of this guidance, Fiji confirmed its first case on 19 March 2020).* However the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are being felt in Fiji and particularly in the tourism sector. Through urgent action to prioritise public health that includes stringent measures to limit contact between people, certain countries or regions have been able to control the spread of Covid-19. However, the economic consequences of these sensible measures have been severe and sudden.

It is uncertain how long this period of economic downturn will last, and in this time businesses will have to adapt to survive by exploring innovative options that may include more remote working, less person to person meetings and individuals taking more responsibility to safeguard one another. Employers also have a duty to provide a safe working environment.

In this legal bulletin we provide general guidance from an employment perspective to assist employers and employees to do what they can to minimise the effects of the economic downturn and work within the requirements of Fiji employment law. This is provided from our firm as a small contribution to the current situation and while we hope it is of assistance, please note that it is provided for general guidance purposes only, and it is not intended to be, and nor should it be taken as, a substitute for legal advice.

[Read More **](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/fiji-employment-law-update-covid-19-global-pandemic-guidance-for-employers-and-employees)

[All posts](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/all)

### Subscribe to Email Updates

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Topic

- [Commercial law Fiji (13)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/commercial-law-fiji)
- [Fiji commercial lawyers (13)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-commercial-lawyers)
- [Commercial lawyers Fiji (10)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/commercial-lawyers-fiji)
- [Fiji lawyers (10)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-lawyers)
- [Fiji employment law (9)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-employment-law)
- [Fiji law (8)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-law)
- [Construction law Fiji (6)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/construction-law-fiji)
- [Fiji land law (6)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-land-law)
- [Covid19 Fiji (5)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/covid19-fiji)
- [Fiji Environmental law (5)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-environmental-law)
- [Fiji commercial law (5)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-commercial-law)
- [Fiji risk allocation (5)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-risk-allocation)
- [Disciplinary process (4)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/disciplinary-process)
- [Environmental Management Act 2005 (4)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/environmental-management-act-2005)
- [Fiji construction contracts (4)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-construction-contracts)
- [Fiji immigration law (4)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-immigration-law)
- [Accident in Fiji (3)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/accident-in-fiji)
- [Employment Law Fiji (3)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/employment-law-fiji)
- [Environmental Impact Assessments (3)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/environmental-impact-assessments)
- [Environmental governance (3)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/environmental-governance)
- [Fiji Climate Change Act (3)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-climate-change-act)
- [Fiji Court of Appeal (3)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-court-of-appeal)
- [Fiji Planning and Environmental Law (3)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-planning-and-environmental-law)
- [Fiji contract law (3)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-contract-law)
- [Insurance law Fiji (3)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/insurance-law-fiji)
- [Summary dismissal (3)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/summary-dismissal)
- [Blue Economy (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/blue-economy)
- [Dismissal (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/dismissal)
- [Energy Security (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/energy-security)
- [Environmental Rule Of Law (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/environmental-rule-of-law)
- [Environmental decision making (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/environmental-decision-making)
- [Fiji Blue Economy (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-blue-economy)
- [Fiji Climate Change law (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-climate-change-law)
- [Fiji Company Law (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-company-law)
- [Fiji Forestry Policy (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-forestry-policy)
- [Fiji Forestry Sector (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-forestry-sector)
- [Fiji freedom of contract (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-freedom-of-contract)
- [Fiji land dealings (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-land-dealings)
- [Fiji tax law (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-tax-law)
- [Fiji work permits (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-work-permits)
- [Fiji's Constitution (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fijis-constitution)
- [Forest Bill 2025 (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/forest-bill-2025)
- [Investing in Fiji (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/investing-in-fiji)
- [LAWASIA (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/lawasia)
- [National Energy Policy (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/national-energy-policy)
- [No fault compensation Fiji (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/no-fault-compensation-fiji)
- [Public Health and Covid (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/public-health-and-covid)
- [Renewable Energy Fiji (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/renewable-energy-fiji)
- [The Environment Management Act (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/the-environment-management-act)
- [Torrens title system (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/torrens-title-system)
- [Total negligence (2)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/total-negligence)
- [Climate Change Act (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/climate-change-act)
- [Construction contract checklist (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/construction-contract-checklist)
- [Contract Law Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/contract-law-fiji)
- [Corona Virus Fiji law (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/corona-virus-fiji-law)
- [Cyber security Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/cyber-security-fiji)
- [Defective construction materials Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/defective-construction-materials-fiji)
- [Fiji Charitable Trusts Act (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-charitable-trusts-act)
- [Fiji Company dissolution (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-company-dissolution)
- [Fiji Covid laws (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-covid-laws)
- [Fiji Forestry Act 2025 (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-forestry-act-2025)
- [Fiji Forests (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-forests)
- [Fiji Freedom to contract (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-freedom-to-contract)
- [Fiji Planning Law (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-planning-law)
- [Fiji Redundancy (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-redundancy)
- [Fiji Supreme Court (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-supreme-court)
- [Fiji due diligence (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-due-diligence)
- [Fiji liquidators (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fiji-liquidators)
- [Force Majeure Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/force-majeure-fiji)
- [Forestry Act 2025 (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/forestry-act-2025)
- [Fuel leak Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/fuel-leak-fiji)
- [Hotel and Tourism Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/hotel-and-tourism-fiji)
- [Incorporation of not for profit (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/incorporation-of-not-for-profit)
- [Indefeasibility of title (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/indefeasibility-of-title)
- [Infringement Notices Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/infringement-notices-fiji)
- [International Law (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/international-law)
- [Law of the Sea Convention (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/law-of-the-sea-convention)
- [Migrant labour Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/migrant-labour-fiji)
- [Migrant labour Pacific (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/migrant-labour-pacific)
- [Motor vehicle accident Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/motor-vehicle-accident-fiji)
- [Native lease law (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/native-lease-law)
- [Negligence (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/negligence)
- [Oceans Governance (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/oceans-governance)
- [Online Safety Act Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/online-safety-act-fiji)
- [Pacific Island Rights (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/pacific-island-rights)
- [Polluter Pays (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/polluter-pays)
- [Polluter Pays Principle (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/polluter-pays-principle)
- [Probate Law Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/probate-law-fiji)
- [Public Health Act Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/public-health-act-fiji)
- [Redundancy law Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/redundancy-law-fiji)
- [SDG7 Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/sdg7-fiji)
- [Sovereignty (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/sovereignty)
- [Town Planning Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/town-planning-fiji)
- [Town Planning Schemes Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/town-planning-schemes-fiji)
- [Tuna fisheries (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/tuna-fisheries)
- [Wills and Probate Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/wills-and-probate-fiji)
- [accident and compensation Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/accident-and-compensation-fiji)
- [administrative law (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/administrative-law)
- [buying land in Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/buying-land-in-fiji)
- [climate change (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/climate-change)
- [iTaukei land law (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/itaukei-land-law)
- [immigration law (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/immigration-law)
- [personal injury Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/personal-injury-fiji)
- [pollution in Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/pollution-in-fiji)
- [substandard construction materials Fiji (1)](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/tag/substandard-construction-materials-fiji)

[see all](https://www.sas.com.fj/commercial-law-updates/author/siwatibau-sloan#)

copyright @ 2021 Siwatibau & Sloan