7 Aug 2007

Frustrated Fiji public sector unions end strike

2:39 pm on 7 August 2007

Two public sector unions in Fiji, the Public Employees Union and the Viti National Union of Taukei Workers, have ended their strike and will return to work from 4.30pm this afternoon.

Reports say this has been confirmed by the general secretary of the Fiji Islands Council of Trade Unions, Attar Singh.

Mr Singh says it is useless to continue striking if the interim labour minister, Bernadette Rounds-Ganilau, refuses to refer their dispute to arbitration.

He says this has never happened before in Fiji's industrial relations history.

Mr Singh says the unions are now aware of the obstacles their members face and would start legal action against the interim administration.