Informal mediation discussions involving the Construction Energy, Timber, Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF), the Fiji Roads Authority, and the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations have shown promising signs of a potential resolution, according to union general secretary John Paul.
On September 3, the union outlined its demands for a salary increase based on a claim for cost-of-living adjustments that have not been implemented since 2017. Paul reported that the recent informal meeting allowed employers to consult with their respective line minister, with plans to reconvene next week.
“There is no strike planned at this moment; discussions are ongoing,” Paul stated. He noted that a mediator from the Ministry of Employment and several representatives from the Fiji Roads Authority were present during the talks.
The next meeting is scheduled for next week, where the FRA will share its position with the union. A statement from Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) highlighted the impasse in negotiations, emphasizing the union’s concerns regarding individual contracts and the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment for workers since 2017.
Apolinar Tolentino, the BWI Asia Pacific Regional Representative, expressed worry over the absence of a salary structure and performance management system, which he deemed essential for both workforce welfare and the effective functioning of a state-owned entity overseeing significant public resources.
The BWI strongly endorses CETWUF’s efforts to enhance working conditions at the FRA through negotiations that align with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards to which the Fijian government has committed. Tolentino asserted that a cooperative resolution to these issues would serve the best interests of both the organization and its employees.
Attempts to contact the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh, and Fiji Roads Authority Board chair, Atunaisa Nayago, were unsuccessful.