The leader of the People’s Democratic Party, Felix Anthony has rejected suggestions that he has been campaigning against Fiji in the international community and asking tourists not to come to our shores.
Anthony said all he wants is for the government to be pressured to ensure that all workers have the freedom to choose whatever union they want to join and all workers’ rights to be in force.
When asked on whether Anthony has led a campaign against some Fijian industries in the international community to ensure that tough action is taken against the government, Anthony said Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum should not blame the unionists if the government is not playing its part.
Anthony said unemployment is a real issue in the country.
While PDP will reveal its plans to counter unemployment in its manifesto next month, Anthony said 33,000 people registered with the National Employment Centre are not the true figure for unemployment in the country.
Anthony said there are many others who are not registered or seasonal workers like those in the sugar industry.
The PDP Leader also said many people have retired at 55 years due to the lowering of the civil service retirement age.
We are currently in the process of getting the unemployment statistics and the work that the Labour Ministry has done in this area.
Stay with us for that.