19 Jul 2011

Fiji's interim attorney-general hits out at union leaders

10:21 am on 19 July 2011

Fiji's interim attorney-general has hit out at union leaders who he says are promoting sanctions which will hurt the grassroots of Fiji.

New Zealand and Australian unions have threatened bans and boycotts on services to Fiji if the regime there doesn't stop intimidation and curbs on trade union activity.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told Fiji Broadcasting union leaders are portraying a false picture of the ground realities in Fiji and he says they're out for their own self preservation.

Fiji Trades Union Congress chief Felix Anthony has been in New Zealand and Australia campaigning for support and speaking out about being beaten by the military.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum says leaders like Mr Anthony have used unions for their own benefit, initially supporting the interim government to further their careers.