The Fiji Trades Union Congress is disappointed with the new terms and conditions that have been set in the new Political Parties Registration decree.
General Secretary, Felix Anthony who had announced that they were forming a new party now has to choose to either be a party executive or a union executive. The unions also cannot fund any political party with union members’ funds.
Anthony said trade unionists are elected by the members of the union and that is why they want to represent them as a party.
When asked if he will resign from his post to join a political party, Anthony said he will decide this after examining the decree.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Public Service Association General Secretary Rajeshwar Singh who is also backing a new party made up of unionists has strongly condemned the criteria set in the new registration of a political party decree.
While reacting to comments by the Attorney General that the unionists could use their union positions for political benefits to their party and may even do things to sabotage the economy, Singh asks why the unionists are not allowed to form parties.
Story by: Dhanjay Deo & Praneeta Prakash
