Attorney General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is calling on the sugar mill workers in the country to work with the government and the Fiji Sugar Corporation to ensure that the sugar industry continues to grow.

Sayed-Khaiyum said strike is not the answer as it would hurt everyone.
 

Sayed-Khaiyum said the Fiji Sugar Corporation is now bringing in the benefits for the workers as it has started bouncing back.

He said FSC has been able to do this based on the level of growth it has achieved. 


Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the Government's chief concern is the 200,000 Fijians who depend on the sugar cane industry for their survival.

Earlier this month the FSC confirmed that more than 2,000 mill workers have received a 5.3% pay increase, equal access to health insurance and access to the special welfare fund. 

The health insurance is now being available to all workers, with FSC paying for 50% of the premium.
 
Meanwhile, the Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union said it is ready to sit with the Fiji Sugar Corporation to talk about it's demands relating to pay and work conditions however the union said it's members will not hesitate to go on strike.

General Secretary Felix Anthony said the mill workers who are union members can take strike action within the current crushing season.

When questioned by Fijivillage why the industrial action is being taken as it would hurt the sugar industry and the people of Fiji, Anthony said they have no other option.


Anthony maintained that they are unhappy with the pay rise given by FSC.


When questioned on what the union members want, Anthony said he cannot reveal the actual rate of pay increase that they want.

He also stressed that the workers cannot continue to accept that they have to make personal sacrifices to assist in the reforms in the sugar industry. 


Fijivillage questioned Anthony a number of times what is their actual pay rise demand however he said that will be only known if FSC sits at the negotiation table. 

He said anything negative that occurs during the strike will be the FSC's fault.
 

Story by: Vijay Narayan