In 2023, the Cabinet approved the inclusion of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day and Girmit Day in the revised 2023 Public Holiday dates and removed Constitution Day as a public holiday.
The Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations has advised all employers, workers, and members of the general public that the previous Constitution Day is not a public holiday.
When is Constitution Day?
Constitution Day was a public holiday in Fiji observed on September 7th each year until 2023..
It marks the promulgation of the Fijian Constitution on this day in 2013. If Constitution Day falls on a weekend, a public holiday will be observed on the following Monday.
History of Constitution Day
Fiji's first constitution was in 1970 after it gained independence from Britain.
Since then, there have been three major revisions; once in 1990, in 1997 and again in 2013.
This day celebrates the most recent of these and has only been a holiday since 2016. It was established as a day to inform people about the merits of the Constitution.
To mark the inaugural holiday in 2016, a march took place from the Suva Flea Market to Albert Park. The procession included entertainment from marching bands. The Prime Minister of Fiji, Voreqe Bainimarama, and President of Fiji, Jioji Konrote attended the celebrations.
During the celebrations, President Konrote said the constitution "is a permanent reminder of the critical importance of our Constitution in our national life and its critical importance to our democracy."
Southern Cross Rd which runs between Government Buildings and Albert Park was renamed Constitution Ave.
Speaking in 2019, Bainimarama said the constitution "represents far more than words on paper - it mandates the very foundation of our democracy and the range of civil, political and socio-economic rights."
Fiji's fourth constitution was promulgated in 2013 and set up a new electoral system which saw Bainimarama returned to power as Prime Minister in elections in 2014, the first since he assumed power in the coup of 2006.
It's not unusual for a country to have a public holiday to celebrate its constitution, but it is unusual to wait until the fourth constitution to observe one.
