A spokesperson for the group of air traffic controllers currently staying away from work while demanding increases to their pay says everyone in the group is free to return to work.
Kolokesa Kini says no one is being bullied to stay and so far one person has returned to work.
He says there has been no progress towards plans to have a discussion between the Fiji Public Service Association, Fiji Airports and the Ministry of Employment.
This act by the air traffic controllers has been declared as a strike by the Minister for Employment, Parveen Bala who said the worker’s coordinated and continued refusal to attend work, along with the demands put forward by the workers, are clear indications that a strike is underway.
He said the 33 Air Traffic controllers took various forms of leave while demanding increases to their pay from Fiji Airports Management.
Fiji Airports has also advised all controllers that it is not opposed to a pay rise and that it has already given significant pay increments in the past.
Fiji Airports says presently a pay rise is under contemplation with 2 internal papers already under discussion.
However, the company says it was opposed to the manner in which a pay rise was being demanded under a threat.
ADVERTISEMENT
