Unions exist in Fiji and will continue to exist.
Those are the words of the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum as some trade unions like the Fiji Trades Union Congress continue saying certain new decrees like the Essential National Industries Employment Decree will abolish all the unions in the country.
Sayed-Khaiyum said there is no ban of unions and the decree clearly states that bargaining units in the designated corporations under the decree will be set up.
He stated the government has not banned trade unions in Fiji.
Sayed-Khaiyum said everyone in Fiji and the world should know that unions like the Fiji Public Service Association continue to exist.
He said the fact that the government has decided to stop facilitating the union fees deductions from civil servants pay who are members of the public sector unions, does not mean that the unions have closed down.
Under the Essential National Industries Employment Decree, an essential national industry means those which are vital to the present and continued success of Fiji’s economy or those in which the government has a majority and essential interest.
The Prime Minister will declare the essential national industries and designated corporations that fall under the industry in due course.
Once that is done, the decree will apply to the corporation.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Feature
Unions will continue to exist in Fiji
