Hundreds of people employed in the water bottling industry have been sent home this afternoon as five of the larger water bottling companies have shut down all operations until further notice.

Fiji Water Director External Affairs David Roth confirmed to Fijivillage that over 450 workers have been sent home today and this action has been taken because they have now reached a critical juncture where they can no longer effectively operate their business.

Fiji Water, Aqua Pacific, Island Chill, Viti Blue, Pleass Beverages, and FMF VTY have today filed a lawsuit against Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority seeking an order that the new taxes imposed by FIRCA on its bottled water is unlawful and a stay of the imposition of the tax pending a final hearing.

In a statement Fiji Water said that despite them providing FIRCA and the Finance Ministry with all necessary documentation that proves this tax would simply make doing business impossible, both FIRCA and the Ministry have refused to take any action or even engage in any meaningful dialogue to repeal this tax.

Flour Mills of Fiji Chairman Hari Punja confirms that their water bottling plant operations for FMF VTY have also been shut down until further notice due to the imposition of the new duty.

Aqua Pacific's Managing Director, Mohammed Altaf also confirms has stopped all production and export until further notice and have sent home 30 workers already with more expected to be sent home later this month.
Island Chill Director Jay Dayal confirms that their operations have also ceased until further notice.