A formal strike notice has been issued to Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) by approximately 500 members of the Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji, with industrial action set to begin on February 15, 2026. The notice was delivered through a letter dated January 9, 2026, and signed by the union’s national secretary, John Paul, to the CEO of EFL.
The union has also notified the Arbitration Court of its members’ intention to strike, in accordance with Section 191(1) of the Employment Relations (Amendment) Act 2015. The strike is scheduled to commence at 7 a.m. on February 15 and will continue until a satisfactory agreement is reached between the union and EFL management. The planned walk-out is expected to take place at various EFL workplaces across the country.
The notice indicates that the strike will involve tradesmen, staff, and senior personnel. The union has expressed several grievances, primarily centered around EFL’s alleged refusal to engage in negotiations regarding the 2024 and 2025 Logs of Claims, which include demands for a 10 percent wage increase. Additional issues highlighted include complaints about the failure to pay shift allowances for workers on shift duties, as well as the refusal to provide live-line allowances for crane operators working at heights, alongside calls for improved compensation for live-line workers.
The union asserts that these strike actions will proceed unless EFL addresses these concerns and reaches a satisfactory agreement with the union. Furthermore, the union has raised concerns regarding the compensation of senior executives at EFL, who reportedly earned a combined total of $3.3 million in salaries and allowances last year, reflecting a 13.8 percent increase from 2023. In contrast, ordinary workers have not received any wage increases for 2024 and 2025.
John Paul has criticized EFL for delaying fair wage negotiations and has accused the company of dragging disputes through the court system, seemingly ignoring the struggles of the workforce. Queries directed to EFL regarding these matters have yet to receive a response.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how both parties will navigate these tensions and work towards a resolution that acknowledges the concerns of the workers while ensuring the company’s operational integrity.
Leave a comment