18 Jul 2011

Union says action will disrupt Fiji holiday plans

7:28 am on 18 July 2011

The Australian Transport Workers Union says holidaymakers heading to Fiji can expect disruption unless a decree which removes Fijian workers' rights is withdrawn.

The union says a draft decree issued by the Fiji government in May smashes workers rights.

The union's national secretary Tony Sheldon says workers will refuse to load or unload planes and won't re-fuel planes operated by Qantas, Air Pacific and Jetstar which are flying to and from Fiji.

He says anyone who is flying to Fiji is propping up the military regime through tourism and should cancel their trips and consider their obligations as Pacific residents.

Mr Sheldon says the Transport Workers Union will be talking with unions in New Zealand shortly and expects workers in this country will be as outraged as his members.

The union wants Qantas to take a stand on the decree and says the Australian government should also insist on the withdrawal of all recent decrees which threaten human rights.