The Sugar Ministry said it will ensure that the four sugar mills continue to operate if the Fiji Sugar General Workers Union members go on strike during the current crushing season.
Permanent Secretary Lt Colonel Manasa Vaniqi hopes good sense will prevail and the workers do not go on strike.
He also said it is wrong for the union to say they are ready to come to the negotiation table when they are threatening FSC with strike action.
Lt Colonel Vaniqi said there are 2,000 workers at FSC and 455 union members have voted for strike action.
Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said FSC has already given workers a 5.3% pay rise, overtime pay and medical insurance.
When Fijivillage questioned union General Secretary Felix Anthony, he refused to reveal the level of increase that the union is demanding.
He said they will only tell FSC when it sits at the negotiation table.
Anthony said their strike mandate is valid during the crushing season and they will make further decisions soon.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
