The IUF Asia & Pacific Regional Committee meeting in Hong Kong on 21-22 November 2010 passed the following resolution
(Situation Of The Fiji Sugar Industry):
NOTES that 30% of Fiji’s population depends on the sugar industry which is facing a serious decline in sugar cane production from a high of 4.2 million tons to 1.8 million tons this year resulting in massive job losses of almost 50% of the total workforce over the last few years.
NOTES WITH CONCERN the contemplation by the current Acting CEO of Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) of the closure of the second largest mill located in Ba town which would have serious adverse implications on the industry long term and dire consequences on the local community including workers and farmers.
FURTHER NOTES that no alternative livelihood programs have been initiated to cushion the adverse impact of redundancies and displaced farmers who may not find it viable to produce sugar cane due to the closure of the mill and the railway transportation of cane. No impact assessment study has been conducted to determine the full impact of any such decision. No attempt has been made to comply with the provisions of the Global Jobs Pact which called for, inter alia, social security measures to be established in case of redundancies.
IS APPALLED at reports of intimidation of farmers and workers at some mills by the military.
CONSIDERS that the sugar industry has been mismanaged with two direct consequences: the disastrous drop in the cane crop and unduly massive unemployment arising from the restructure of FSC.
REGRETS that the Interim Military Government has chosen repression instead of working equitably with the Farmers and Workers Unions to negotiate a just and developmental transition for the future of the Sugar Industry.
OBJECTS to the Administration of Justice Decree (Decree 9 of 2009) and its amendment Decrees 10 of 2009, 25 of 2009 and 14 of 2010 that take away the Unions’ right to challenge in any Court, decision of Government or Government owned entities including the Fiji Sugar Corporation to make any employee redundant, to change any terms and conditions of employment, despite a Collective Agreement remaining in force.
OBSERVES that these Decrees are in violation of ILO Core Labour Standards which Fiji has ratified and is obliged to respect as well as the Cotonou Agreement which obliged Fiji to respect the Core Labour Standards and Fiji’s own Labour Laws.
FURTHER OBJECTS to the continued imposition of the Public Emergency Regulations having been in force since December 2006 which further suppresses the right of workers to meet freely. We note the recent detention of the General Secretary of the National Farmers Union for 4 days and 3 nights by police for consulting with farmers without a permit on their predicament and the denial by police for the Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union to convene a meeting to discuss job losses within its membership.
REMINDS that sugar produced under such conditions where fundamental labour rights are trampled underfoot will clearly not be acceptable in the world market which has traditionally supported Fiji Sugar Industry.
CALLS UPON the Fiji Sugar Corporation and Government to ensure the restoration of and respect for all fundamental international labour rights for all workers in Fiji, and the revocation of the Public Emergency Regulations including media censorship
URGES the Government to immediately begin taking steps towards the restoration of democracy and the rule of law which is the only way to economic recovery and dignity for all citizens.
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The IUF is a world-wide federation of trade unions representing workers employed in:
– agriculture and plantations;
– the preparation and manufacture of food and beverages;
– hotels, restaurants, catering and tourism services; and
– all stages of tobacco processing.
It is composed of 397 organisations in 123 countries with an affiliated membership of 2.7 million workers (from unions representing more than 12 million workers) . The global secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The regional secretariat for Asia/Pacific is in Sydney, Australia. Membership in the IUF is open to all democratic trade unions, regardless of ideological or political orientation.
The IUF’s guiding policy is international labour solidarity. We are committed to defending trade union rights and human rights in general, and the right of workers to control decisions affecting their lives at work and in society. We oppose all forms of exploitation and oppression.
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