The Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union said it is ready to sit with the Fiji Sugar Corporation to talk about its demands relating to pay and work conditions however the union said its 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.
 
According to the FSC, 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 will now be available to all workers, with FSC paying for 50% of the premium.

Meanwhile the government hopes common sense will prevail and the sugar mill workers who have voted to go on strike will not do so.

Anthony said 67.5% of the membership voted, of which 90% voted in favor of strike action which fulfills the legal requirement for strike action.

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

He said the government has made a substantial investment to rescue the industry from collapse. 

Sayed-Khaiyum said the government has also renewed more land leases, given confidence to farmers, and put more money into research, which has resulted in better yields.

The Attorney General said as a result of government’s reforms, FSC employees have received a 5.3% pay rise and improved benefits, and can look forward to better job security and more opportunities as the FSC continues to improve its performance.

Story by: Vijay Narayan