The High Court in Lautoka has issued an interim order preventing FIJI Water from moving ahead with a planned redundancy of its unionized workers until the case is resolved in court. This order comes after the National Union of Workers (NUW) filed an ex-parte motion in the Employment Jurisdiction requesting urgent action as the company had announced intentions to make workers redundant in the forthcoming weeks.
Justice Mohamed Mackie’s ruling directs FIJI Water and its agents to refrain from dismissing any union members until the matter is fully adjudicated. The interim order will remain effective until November 10, 2025, requiring the originating summons to be filed and served before the next court session.
FIJI Water’s announcement, made on August 13, detailed a restructuring initiative that could result in the layoff of 51 positions within its Fiji operations due to ongoing global economic uncertainties affecting businesses across various sectors. Senior Vice President of Operations, Damir Hlebec, conveyed that the restructuring aims to navigate challenges presented by declining sales in key markets and stagnant growth over the past several years.
The proposed cuts include positions from both the Naikabula Depot and the Yaqara Plant, with 19 salaried and 32 hourly roles potentially affected. If the redundancies proceed, impacted employees would receive severance pay equal to three months’ base salary along with additional compensation based on years of service.
This situation sheds light on a broader economic struggle faced by businesses in Fiji, with companies like FIJI Water seeking to adapt to market conditions while emphasizing their commitment to local communities. By collaborating with the union and engaging in meaningful discussions, there remains a hopeful outlook for heavily impacted workers. The ongoing efforts of FIJI Water to maintain its operational integrity while supporting its workforce signal a commitment to fostering a resilient business environment amidst challenging times.
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