Newly appointed SODELPA MP Mere Samisoni says that the ATS structure is designed to prevent dispute with government owning 51%.
Samisoni highlighted this as a supplementary question to the Minister for Employment Jone Usamate when the Minister was being asked by Fiji First MP Howard Politini on how well the mediation services have been able to effectively resolve workplace employment grievances.
Usamate says that the structures are designed for a particular reason but the important thing is good faith and to follow processes.
He says what happened in ATS even with the structures, workers decided to walk out of the airport during a peak time.
Usamate says Fiji has an opportunity to become a hub also for alternate dispute resolution mechanisms rather than just relying on the courts.
He says the mediation services provided by the ministry has been very effective and efficient in terms of trying to address the issues brought up by employees through grievances and dispute through the trade unions.
