17 Dec 2007

Workers of the Fiji National Provident Fund due to return to work today

11:52 am on 17 December 2007

Workers of the Fiji National Provident Fund who went on strike last Thursday are due to return to work this morning while talks continue over their grievances.

The 200 workers, who are members of the Fiji Bank and Finances Sector Employees Union, said they are owed a total of US$300,000 in salary adjustments since 2005.

Union secretary, Pramod Rae, told the Fiji Live the "temporary suspension" of their strike is a "show of good faith" in the efforts being undertaken to solve the industrial dispute.

Mr Rae said the acting Labour Minister, Laufitu Malani, hopes to broker an agreement between the two parties.

He said Mr Malani will also decide on whether to refer the matter to arbitration today.

Mr Rae has expressed disappointment with the "lack of support" from unionists in the FNPF management board, Daniel Urai and Felix Anthony.