5 Aug 2011

Fiji trade unions say movement set back 80 years by new decree

8:21 am on 5 August 2011

Fiji's Trades Union Congress says the interim government's Essential National Industries Employment Decree is an attempt to decimate the trade union movement.

The decree has just been gazetted and bans strikes in key sectors, which the FTUC says includes the aviation, tourism and sugar industries.

In a statement the Congress says the regime has stripped away eight decades of gains for workers.

Meanwhile, Police have charged 2 unionists, Daniel Urai and a Dinesh Gounder with one count each of unlawful assembly.

Fiji Village reports the two were allegedly conducting a union meeting without a permit which is a breach under the Public Emergency Regulation.