FIJI Water restrained from proceeding with planned layoffs for now after an order by the Employment Court

FIJI Water is restrained from proceeding with it’s planned layoff of workers for now after an order by the Employment Court.

This follows an ex-parte application in the Lautoka High Court by the National Union of Workers.

The order says FIJI Water be restrained from proceeding with the redundancy of union members and/or workers until the determination of the matter before the court.

The order is to be in force until the 10th of November this year.

The originating summons are to be filed and served before the next date.

When fijivillage News questioned FIJI Water in September, they confirmed the proposed headcount reduction is 51.

When asked on how the people to be laid off will be chosen, the company said this will be done following the consultation period.

They said if redundancies remain necessary, then the employees will be evaluated based on appropriate skills, capability, experience, proven flexibility to adapt in alignment with evolving business needs, best fit with overall team composition and attendance record.

They said this is expected to happen in the next 60 days.

When asked on what are the business constraints that is forcing the company to take this step, they said the need for the proposed restructure is due to the ongoing global economic uncertainty impacting businesses in every industry and sector.

They said FIJI Water has similarly faced challenges, including softening sales in key markets and flat growth over the past several years.

FIJI Water says these realities have required them to make the difficult decision to consider a workforce reduction in Fiji to create greater efficiencies in their business.