Energy Fiji Limited says they filed a defamation case against Construction, Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji and its National Secretary John Paul but they did not file it barely a week after a strike notice was issued.
This comes as Paul, in a press conference last week, claimed that after they gave the notice on 9th January, and within a week, they received a writ of summons from EFL.
He says this is the first time in the history of Fiji that an employer is suing the union for the work they do.
Paul says this is quite ridiculous.
While responding, EFL General Manager Human Resources Randhir Charan says the defamation case was lodged at the Lautoka High Court on 24 December, 2025.
Charan says the defamation case relates specifically to defamatory statements made by Paul, in relation to the Chief Executive Officer and the General Manager Human Resources.
He says it does not relate to employment conditions or workplace issues, as incorrectly stated in a Fiji Times article.
The HR General Manager says the defamation and strike are two separate and unrelated issues.
Charan claims on several occasions, EFL requested Paul to apologise for and withdraw the defamatory statements, however this was not done, leaving EFL with no alternative but to pursue legal action.
He claims the defamatory statements circulated by Paul include messages shared on the CETWUF Viber Group, and a CETWUF email dated 14 May 2025, which contained defamatory content.
Charan says they reiterate that EFL respects the judicial process and will continue to allow the courts to determine the matters currently before them.
He says EFL remains optimistic that good sense will prevail and seeks the cooperation and understanding of all employees, including members of CETWUF during this period.
If issues are unresolved, about 500 EFL workers could go on strike on 15th February.
The union is meeting the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh today.
