The Fijian government is intervening to address the ongoing dispute between Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) and approximately 500 workers who are on the brink of striking over unsettled salary issues. Agni Deo Singh, the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, announced that a voluntary mediation session will take place on Monday, January 19, between the two parties, facilitated by the ministry.
Singh expressed cautious optimism regarding the potential for an amicable resolution. “We have contacted the parties and invited them for voluntary mediation… They have agreed. We are optimistic that a settlement will be reached eventually,” he stated.
This mediation follows a strike notice issued by the Construction, Energy, and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) on January 9. In this notice, the workers voiced several grievances, including EFL’s alleged refusal to negotiate on the union’s claims for 2024 and 2025, which encompass a proposed wage increase of 10%.
Among the additional grievances noted by the workers are the failure to pay shift allowances for those working shifts, the refusal to compensate crane operators for live-line duties performed at height, and requests for an increase in wages for live-line workers alongside existing allowances.
CETWUF national secretary John Paul highlighted that the union has not received any communication from EFL regarding these matters since the strike notice was issued. “We have not heard from them. Our demands are very clear and since issuing the notice there has been no attempt from them to discuss these issues with us and their workers,” he claimed.
The situation remains tense as questions directed to EFL regarding the workers’ concerns have gone unanswered. However, the upcoming mediation session holds promise for a peaceful resolution that could benefit both the workers and the company, underscoring the importance of dialogue in resolving labor disputes. With the government’s involvement, there is hope that a satisfactory agreement will be reached, potentially averting a disruptive strike and fostering a more collaborative workplace environment.
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