23 Aug 2013

Fiji military says mill presence is to protect equipment

3:06 pm on 23 August 2013

Fiji's military says it has no problems with the mill workers threatening a strike.

It has confirmed it sent soldiers to the Lautoka sugar mill, but denied claims by the Sugar and General Workers Union General Secretary, Felix Anthony, that workers were being threatened and intimidated by the soldiers.

Commander Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga says the military's concern is to see the investment the government had put into the mills is not jeopardised.

"In case the strikers turned violent and want to damage some of the equipment in the industry that's where the security comes into place, like I said the government has put in a lot money and effort in ensuring the industry remains a viable industry."

Fiji Land Force Commander, Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga.

Fiji is in the middle of the cane crushing season.