Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has today stressed that the threat or imposition of trade union sanctions by the Australian unions will not change the government’s stand to have elections in 2014.
Commodore Bainimarama said elections will not be held earlier than 2014 and he believed that the planned sanctions are part of the political agenda of some to try to push the government.
He said the Australian and NZ unions should know that workers rights are not being violated and the fact remained that only 30 percent of the working population in the country is unionized.
Commodore Bainimarama also questioned whether the local trade unionists like Felix Anthony, Daniel Urai and Rajeshwar Singh consulted with their members before asking for the sanctions.
We have contacted Australian Transport Workers Union’s Tony Sheldon to ask if they will impose the sanctions.
He has been in meetings all day.
It was first highlighted by some Australian and NZ media outlets that sanctions would be imposed as early as this week.
One of the TWU officials has told us that there is no date set on when the trade union sanctions will be imposed.
The official also said that nothing can be said at this stage as they also have to speak to their members.
We have sent questions to the union.
The NZ Council of Trade Unions has made it clear that it will not take any immediate action in relation to trade union sanctions.
The Union’s Peter Conway said they have spoken to Felix Anthony and others in NZ however the final decision on any action will be made by the NZ union members.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Trade union sanctions will not change Govt stand on elections
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when