Fiji: sugar workers vote for strike action

The Ministry if Labour has now confirmed that, despite management threats and harassment, the majority of sugar mill workers have voted for strike action in support of demands for higher wages.

However, intimidation by management has not stopped. FSGWU branch officials are being harassed and workers threatened with termination if they go on strike. The harassment has been widely condemned by the IUF and the international trade union movement.

FSGWU general secretary Felix Anthony commented, “Sugar Workers have received international support for their claim to decent wages and conditions of work. This makes our determination stronger. The Executives will shortly take a decision on the way forward. In the meantime the Union remains prepared to negotiate”.

The Fiji Sugar Corporation to-date has not responded to the FSGWU’s calls for talks.