19 May 2009

Air Fiji employees locked out of work

9:27 pm on 19 May 2009

Employees of the Fiji carrier Air Fiji remain locked out of their work as they wait for an announcement on their future with the company.

Reports stated early in the month that Air Fiji had stopped operating aircraft however the union representing Air Fiji workers says an official announcement has yet to be made.

The Transport Union represents 100 of the company's 170 workers, and says they are currently staying at home, facing a very bleak future.

"The workers are not allowed into the building. The building are now protected by security guards posted by Fiji development bank. So the Fiji Development Bank has actually taken control of the properties as I understand Air Fiji owes a lot of money to Fiji Development Bank. And it is for that reason the bank has moved in to secure a property so that they are able sale it and get the money."

Kamlesh Kumar says the workers have not been paid since the first of May.

The Fiji Development Bank would not answer questions about the future of Air Fiji saying it is not at liberty to disclose any information on clients.