Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) has expressed its hope that “good sense will prevail” as it navigates a challenging situation with the Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF), following the union’s decision to exit voluntary mediation. EFL’s CEO, Fatiaki Gibson, highlighted that during the mediation process, the company presented an employment benefits package that included a pay increase, which was ultimately rejected by the union’s leadership.
Gibson emphasized the company’s desire for cooperation and understanding among employees who are members of CETWUF, especially during this critical period. The mediation was part of the collective bargaining process facilitated by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, addressing concerns arising from the ongoing negotiations.
A mediation session on January 19, 2026, at EFL’s office in Lautoka, saw mediator Tomasi Keni suggest that before further discussions could take place, the outstanding clause from the 2023 Mediated Agreement needed to be resolved. EFL confirmed that all clauses of the 2023 agreement had been completed, leaving only Clause 10 open for finalization.
The proposed employment benefits included a five percent salary increase, additional employer contributions to FNPF for eligible employees based on tenure, the ability to utilize unused sick leave from the past two years, 24-hour personal accident insurance for specific employees, and other benefits aligned with the 2025 Log of Claims. The company noted that CETWUF leadership had sought time to gather feedback from its members regarding the offer.
A follow-up mediation session was postponed due to unavailability of CETWUF leadership, with the rescheduled date set for February 12. EFL assured that once CETWUF agreed to finalize the pending 2023 collective agreement, the complete benefits package—previously negotiated and approved for FEWA members—would be made available to CETWUF members with retroactive effect from January 1, 2026. However, the company cautioned that this offer could not remain indefinitely.
In a surprising move, CETWUF informed the ministry on February 7 that it would no longer pursue mediation and preferred to address the issue through Arbitration Court proceedings scheduled for March 23. This decision marks a significant shift in the negotiations, leaving EFL hopeful that a resolution can still be achieved that benefits all parties involved. EFL remains committed to fostering a positive dialogue and finding a mutually agreeable solution.
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