Another Fiji union official steps down to contest the election

Transcript

A Fiji unionist says he will still act as an advisor to his union despite having to step down formally to comply with Fiji's election laws.

The President of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, Daniel Urai, says it is now the appropriate time to resign in order to contest next month's election for the People's Democratic Party.

He told Sally Round it was always his plan to stand for the party but he had union work to complete, which he says is still unfinished.

DANIEL URAI: There was a lot of work that I had to complete in the tourism industry union, I have completed some of them, I think now it's proper that I will resign as required under the decree to contest the election.

SALLY ROUND: So where does this leave the union now that you've resigned also coming on top of the resignation of the general secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress Felix Anthony?

DU: Well the union is in capable hands, it's left with people who have been assisted and we have worked together for a number of years in the union movement, it's in capable hands. The decree requires that we resign from our positions but in terms of our ability to assist in any way on any matter in terms of advice it's still open for us to do that.

SR: So you will be still acting as advisors both you and Felix Anthony?

DU: Trade Unionism is our life, that's our work. Basically we were required to resign so that we will not be receiving wages or salaries on the work we do, that's the intent. For offering services at no pay to any worker in this country, I'm still open to do that, and there's nothing in the law against that.

SR: So who has taken over from you now, who is running the union?

DU: [His assistant], who has been my assistant for a number of years.

SR: Is the union going to keep open posts for you and Felix Anthony incase you're not successful at the election?

DU: Unions as you know are democratic institutions, we have terms where elections are held. On my part my term for general secretary of this union will also expire at the end of this year. Once we have an AGM there will be new elections held and if there's someone to replace me the members will elect the persons after the elections.

SR: So your replacement at the moment is in an acting capacity.

DU: Yes, until the next AGM.

SR: Now a long awaited mission by the International Labour Organisation is due in Fiji in October to investigate alleged worker rights violations after complaints made by your union. Isn't this an important time to remain on board?

DU: Yes it is important to remain on board and as you know the election, we have what nearly five weeks left for the process, after the elections it is up to the membership of the unions to determine who will run the union. We have been working in this country, both I have been in parliament, I have stood for two elections and I have been the general secretary of this union and I have been the president of the Fiji Trades Union Congress all this time. It has not affected our work, it is only the decree this government has put in that we have to comply with to resign. Like I said trade unionism is part and parcel of our life and it will remain there irrespective of what status I take.