The anticipated strike by the Construction Energy & Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) against Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) has been called off following intervention from the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh. In a directive issued on February 15, Singh referred the ongoing dispute to the Arbitration Court for resolution.
The controversy initially centered around a Notice of Strike issued by CETWUF on January 9, indicating plans for industrial action to commence at 7 a.m. on February 15. However, after both parties failed to come to an agreement regarding the Logs of Claims for 2024 and 2025, the minister took decisive action to prevent a strike that he deemed contrary to the public interest.
Singh emphasized the importance of EFL as a public service provider, stating that the proposed strike could jeopardize the livelihoods of many, compromise public safety, and threaten economic stability. He invoked the Employment Relations Act 2007, mandating an immediate cessation of any strike activities while the matter is in arbitration, warning that further industrial action could be legally contested.
This directive ensures that electricity services will continue uninterrupted while the dispute is addressed through established legal channels, underscoring the government’s commitment to maintaining essential services during contentious negotiations. The situation highlights the delicate balance between workers’ rights and public interest, as both parties move forward under the constraints of legal arbitration.
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