We often see organized labour under attack here in
Canada. Anti-union legislation and malicious articles in the media often seem
like it can’t get worse. But it can. Recent events in Fiji offer yet another
reminder that the situation can get worse and also reinforces the notion that
organized labour must always be on guard for forces that would seek to
undermine the rights of workers.
Canada. Anti-union legislation and malicious articles in the media often seem
like it can’t get worse. But it can. Recent events in Fiji offer yet another
reminder that the situation can get worse and also reinforces the notion that
organized labour must always be on guard for forces that would seek to
undermine the rights of workers.
At the Lautoka Mill in Fiji workers for the Fiji
Sugar Corporation (FSC) have been threatening to strike over inadequate wages.
A 67.5% majority of workers voted in favour of a strike. But efforts are being
made to change the workers’ minds. Not good faith negotiation efforts, mind
you, but rather demonstrations of force. The workers have been warned that
should they go on strike they will be “dealt with” by the military.
Sugar Corporation (FSC) have been threatening to strike over inadequate wages.
A 67.5% majority of workers voted in favour of a strike. But efforts are being
made to change the workers’ minds. Not good faith negotiation efforts, mind
you, but rather demonstrations of force. The workers have been warned that
should they go on strike they will be “dealt with” by the military.
Military workers have even been bussed in to inspect
the mill. There is no information on what the soldiers are authorized to do
inside the mill, which makes one wonder exactly what “dealt with” could mean[1].
the mill. There is no information on what the soldiers are authorized to do
inside the mill, which makes one wonder exactly what “dealt with” could mean[1].
But the union isn’t backing down. The Fiji Sugar and
General Workers’ Union (FSGWU) has issued a press release denouncing the
military’s actions as “outright plain intimidation of workers”[2].
Indeed, it would be hard to interpret a military presence in a sugar mill as
anything less than that. This is especially true in Fiji, which has been under
military rule since a coup in 2006.
General Workers’ Union (FSGWU) has issued a press release denouncing the
military’s actions as “outright plain intimidation of workers”[2].
Indeed, it would be hard to interpret a military presence in a sugar mill as
anything less than that. This is especially true in Fiji, which has been under
military rule since a coup in 2006.
The management of the FSC are also said to be
warning the workers that a strike could have dire consequences. The military
has even told workers that if they go on strike they won’t be allowed back to
work again. The union asserts that the FSC management have taken to bullying as
a substitute for negotiating in good faith. The union calls on the government
to enforce Fiji’s laws permitting the right to strike and to put a stop to
these intimidation tactics.
warning the workers that a strike could have dire consequences. The military
has even told workers that if they go on strike they won’t be allowed back to
work again. The union asserts that the FSC management have taken to bullying as
a substitute for negotiating in good faith. The union calls on the government
to enforce Fiji’s laws permitting the right to strike and to put a stop to
these intimidation tactics.
Though some workers are reported to be too
frightened to strike and to take action against the management, but the
majority are prepared to strike[3].
One can only hope that no workers are injured if they exercise their right to
strike.
frightened to strike and to take action against the management, but the
majority are prepared to strike[3].
One can only hope that no workers are injured if they exercise their right to
strike.
It’s a shame to have to draw a comparison to the
actions of the Ontario Liberals when they enacted the PSFA, ignored their obligation to bargain in good faith and
restricted the teachers’ right to strike. But while it may be shame, the
similarities are also too obvious to ignore. If Fiji wants to avoid
international shame, it must respect the rights of workers and negotiate in
good faith, just as the Liberals tried to do when the teachers’ unions wouldn’t
simply roll over to the government’s repressive tactics. It’s the only sensible
way forward and we hope the Fiji government will realize that good government
entails good faith negotiation with workers.
actions of the Ontario Liberals when they enacted the PSFA, ignored their obligation to bargain in good faith and
restricted the teachers’ right to strike. But while it may be shame, the
similarities are also too obvious to ignore. If Fiji wants to avoid
international shame, it must respect the rights of workers and negotiate in
good faith, just as the Liberals tried to do when the teachers’ unions wouldn’t
simply roll over to the government’s repressive tactics. It’s the only sensible
way forward and we hope the Fiji government will realize that good government
entails good faith negotiation with workers.