A prolonged standoff lasting three days took place between the staff and management of Tigers Restaurant in Lautoka, resulting in the arrest of one of its directors and leaving over 60 workers without salaries until yesterday afternoon. The conflict erupted after employees were not paid their wages last Friday, affecting staff members in Lautoka, Ba, and Tavua.
Former manager Sainiana Karan expressed her frustrations, explaining that the employees were informed on Thursday they were barred from reporting to work on Friday and were effectively terminated without any formal notice or explanation. This prompted the workers to demand their owed salaries, but they faced resistance when management locked them out of the establishment. The situation escalated, leading to a violent confrontation wherein a director was arrested for assaulting two police officers.
Despite promises that employees would receive their salaries by Monday at 11 a.m., the workers were still unpaid by that time, resulting in further clashes with senior staff members. Many workers shared their distress, particularly with the holiday season approaching, noting their reliance on these wages for their families, including responsibilities as single mothers and caregivers for elderly relatives.
By the afternoon, however, the workers were finally compensated after intervention and assurances from the Ministry of Employment and Industrial Relations. Minister Agni Deo Singh confirmed that the payment delays were due to ongoing disputes related to the family-run business. Attempts to gain further insights from the company were unsuccessful.
This situation reflects the ongoing challenges some workers face, particularly in industries where disputes can escalate and affect livelihoods. Thankfully, the timely involvement of the Ministry helped resolve the situation, allowing workers to receive their much-needed payments. As the holiday season approaches, it serves as a reminder of the importance of promptly addressing labor disputes and the significant impact they can have on employees’ lives.
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