Representatives from two trade unions in Fiji made headlines recently by walking out of a National Economic Council meeting in protest against the government’s prices and incomes policy. The incident occurred on a date that harks back to October 19, 1973, when Ujagar Singh, the secretary of the Fiji Council of Trade Unions, openly expressed his discontent by declaring the minister’s speech, delivered by Minister for Commerce Mohammed Khan, as “nonsense” and exiting the meeting. Accompanying Singh in this walkout were Joseph Anthony, the general secretary of the Building Workers’ Union, along with fellow BWU official, Francis Nair.
Despite the departure of key union representatives, Minister Khan continued to address the conference attendees about proposed pay guidelines associated with cost of living adjustments. James Raman, secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, later left the meeting alongside around 40 other unionists, voicing concerns that the current policy framework was ineffective in managing inflation and addressing wages.
In light of the uproar, Dr. Norman Ross, the chairman of the Prices and Incomes Board (PIB), expressed his regret at the unions’ decision to leave the conference, emphasizing the importance of the discussions at hand. A delegate from the Suva Chamber of Commerce, Chimanlal Narsey, proposed postponing the meeting to allow attendees more time to understand a report suggesting connections between future pay rises and living cost increases. In response, Dr. Ross reiterated that discussions could lead to written submissions for further consideration.
This walkout echoes challenging industrial relations within Fiji, reminiscent of notable strikes over the decades, including a series of strikes that emerged in the 1980s involving disputes over pay. Similar labor unrest in later years highlighted ongoing negotiations that often faced deadlocks, driving workers to the streets in pursuit of better working conditions and fair wages.
While tensions remain in the labor landscape, there is a hopeful outlook for future resolutions. Continued dialogue among government, employers, and trade unions, alongside proactive measures to combat inflation and improve workers’ conditions, may pave the way for a more stable and equitable environment for all Fijians.
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