Unions from Aust/NZ still intend to visit Fiji

Unions from Australia and New Zealand have now stated that they intend to proceed with plans to send a delegation to Fiji this week and have called on the Fijian government to clarify media reports it will ban them from the country.

Although Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said over the weekend that the Australian and NZ Council of Trade Union officials will not be welcome in Fiji, Australian Council of Trade Unions President Ged Kearney said she is concerned at unconfirmed reports in the media.

In a statement today, Kearney said the ACTU and its New Zealand counterpart are seeking clarification from Sayed-Khaiyum but intend to go ahead with the fact finding mission.

She said this is based on the requests from Fijian unions and civil society groups.

She said they are responding to an open invitation from the Fijian Government to visit their country, and are concerned at the unconfirmed media reports that they will be denied the opportunity to have discussions about human rights concerns.

Kearney said the purpose of the delegation is to talk to workers, unions, church and civil society groups, employers and business representatives about allegations of breaches of human and labour rights.

The delegation is due to leave for Fiji tomorrow.

Meanwhile Sayed-Khaiyum has already said that they will not be allowed in.