More than 100 employees at the Fiji Roads Authority have voted to initiate a strike, according to the Construction Energy & Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF). The union represents workers both in FRA offices and on various worksites.
CETWUF Secretary-General John Paul expressed concern that management has declined to address their requests for a salary increase, particularly in light of claims related to cost-of-living adjustments that have not been considered since 2017.
He highlighted the troubling nature of a fully government-funded organization like FRA avoiding the elimination of contract-based positions despite a significant workforce shortage in the construction sector. Paul criticized FRA for relying on costly legal advice funded by taxpayers to maintain these contracts.
Furthermore, Paul pointed out the dissatisfaction regarding FRA’s failure to appoint a full-time CEO since the previous CEO’s resignation in early 2023. He emphasized that an organization of such scale cannot effectively function without a qualified CEO to manage daily operations, free from board interference.
The union’s members voted for strike action last month, and Paul warned the public to anticipate disruptions in FRA’s operations across the nation as the conflict escalates.
Inquiries were directed to the FRA, but no response was received by the publication deadline.