14 May 2013

Tonga PSA says draft employment bill good for stability of country

9:31 am on 14 May 2013

The Tonga Public Service Association says trade union regulations in the new draft employment relations bill will be good for the stability of the country.

The draft bill outlines employee and employer entitlements and gives provisions for equal employment opportunities.

It also provides for the registration of trade unions, collective bargaining including strikes, and the protection of essential services during disputes.

The secretary general for the Public Service Association, Mele Amanaki, says this is something her union supports, as it will provide a system for both sides to try and resolve any problems with strike action a last resort.

"We don't believe that us trade unions should just go on strike tomorrow without giving any notice or having an attempt to negotiate with employers first. I think for the stability, we saw from our strike action in 2005 that we can break the economy here in Tonga within 6 to 7 weeks if the public servants goes on strike again."

The secretary general for the Public Service Association, Mele Amanaki.