Home » Uncategorized » It also asked workers to complete a form saying whether they would strike and revealed plans to offering five-year contracts to retired mill workers.

It also asked workers to complete a form saying whether they would strike and revealed plans to offering five-year contracts to retired mill workers.

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21st  August, 2013
Press Release
MILITARY IN LAUTOKA SUGAR MILL
Military personnel and FSC continue to threaten and intimidate workers at the
Lautoka Mill. Workers are now being warned that they would not be allowed to
return to work and would be dealt with by the military should they go on strike. Two
truckloads of military officers today drove into Lautoka mill to inspect the mill. This is
outright plain intimidation of workers who have voted to take strike action. The
Union calls on the military not to interfere with workers’ rights and understand that
the workers and their Union are merely following the law and exercising their right to
go on strike because FSC is unwilling to enter into dialogue.
FSC management also continues to warn workers of the consequences of a strike.
While a few workers are scared of taking action because of the threats, a large
majority are prepared for strike. Tradesmen, who belong to another Union, today
have been given leave to attend to work at midnight when the FSC appears to think
the strike will take place. This is a tactic used by the FSC to pitch one Union against
another as used in the past. The Union again calls on FSC to stop this shameful
behavior and act responsibly and follow the laws. These laws obligate the employer
to negotiate with the Union in good faith. This is the best way forward.
The Attorney General harps on about the importance of the sugar industry to Fiji’s
economy but does not explain why he cannot instruct the Management of FSC to
enter into talks and resolve the issues, which is the right thing to do. If he cannot
offer a solution to the problem then he should stop defending FSC. It is interesting to
see that he has become the mouth piece for FSC while Management is mute and
indulging in unethical practices to instill fear in workers. That is demonstration of the
care and dignity this Management can offer its workers.
FELIX ANTHONY
FSGWU GENERAL SECRETARY
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Union says Fiji military intimidating sugar workers ahead of planned strike

Posted at 06:44 on 21 August, 2013 UTC

The union representing sugar mill workers in Fiji says soldiers have appeared at the Lautoka mill in a clear effort to stop a strike going ahead.

The members of the Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union voted to take strike action late last month, saying that their wages, in real terms, had declined by 40 percent in the past seven years.

The general secretary of the union, Felix Anthony, says two truckloads of soldiers arrived at the mill in an obvious attempt to intimidate the workers into dropping the planned action.

Mr Anthony has called on the soldiers not to interfere with the workers’ rights.

He says they need to understand the workers and their union have followed the law and are exercising their right to strike because the employer, the Fiji Sugar Corporation, is unwilling to enter into dialogue.

The Corporation earlier warned the workers about the consequences of strike action.

It also asked workers to complete a form saying whether they would strike and revealed plans to offering five-year contracts to retired mill workers.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

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9 thoughts on “It also asked workers to complete a form saying whether they would strike and revealed plans to offering five-year contracts to retired mill workers.”

  1. That is all Voreqe and his illegal cronies are good at. When they cannot negotiate at the table, they threaten workers with armed soldiers. After all, this is something he likes to do; playing in an uneven playing field. Why doesn’t he allow the ordinary Fijians to be armed also; because he might repeat the cassava patch dash!! So where is Vaniqi the liar. Now we see what he was talking about; his contingency plans – having soldiers intimidate workers. Surely, this illegal government has learnt something from China. Use force to subdue insubordination. Now, where is the big mouth Abdul Khan. Only talks about the improvements, production etc when it suits him. He is now tight lipped. So scared of Felix and the union. And please remember you guys will not rule forever. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t agree to a strike because of the consequences. But the very least the FSC and IG should do is negotiate and allow the process to follow its course. This will leave Felix no room to move because we all know FSC has no money. It has been making losses since 2006. At least the 5.3% is better than nothing. In negotiating and to avert strike and ill will, something they can do is make a tentative agreement for the future. An example is that FSC can give increases when certain goals like production, sugar-make, profits etc are reached. This will definitely improve relations between the union and FSC and it is also a win-win situation for both sides.

  2. Felix enough of talk mate.general strike is needed to get this illegal bastards out .union need to be united for this national strike.

  4. sending soldiers to the mills is the sign of criminal uneducated morons like bainimarama and kuntyum – if they dont want your opinion they want a fist fight – in this case they send their ulukau soldiers to the mills to threaten other fijians (native and indian and kailomas).

    stand strong workers they cant beatup everyone of you – you outnumber them. if they beat you then go for their families. you know where they live and which house to burn or car to bashup. intimidation Is a two way street. it only works if you let the bullies intimidate you.

    stand united now or live in fear for many years to come – noone is coming to help you except yourselves. We must stand together united in solidarity against bainimarama and kunt-yum stealing our future!!!

  6. To the workers of the sugar mills. P lease dont kill an already dying industry.

    You have a job now, what will happen to you and your families when you dont have a job any more – will Felix Anthony or any union officials feed your families?

    Think rationally before you go no strike.

    There is real chance that the FSC will recruit many retired workers who will be too happy to sign on a 4 year contract to do the job.

  7. Torika, this is the kind of attitude that fosters illegal regimes and coups. u Fijian warped thinking that’s why your country thrives on dishonesty and liumuri and cheating. cant do the right thing despite your bible preaching. better take a dollar than do the right thing.

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