Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union General Secretary, Felix Anthony is not revealing whether his members will go ahead with strike action at the sugar mills in the country.
Fijivillage has contacted Anthony’s sugar union office in Lautoka and his Fiji Trades Union Congress office in Suva however, they say he is in meetings and does not carry a mobile phone.
A number of messages have also been left for him as we try to find out whether mill workers who are union members are still thinking of taking the industrial action which will affect the country.
455 union members have voted for strike.
It has been confirmed by FSC and the Sugar Ministry that FSC’s total workforce is 2,000.
Permanent Secretary for Sugar, Manasa Vaniqi said based on the numbers, the government and FSC are confident that any action will not result in the closure of the mills and he stresses that crushing will continue.
He also said the contingency plans have been set out and even the retired workers are ready to come back and assist in mill operations.
Vaniqi also said that it is unreasonable for Felix Anthony to say that he is ready to go on strike but he is also ready to go to the negotiation table.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
