Bad Stance by Unionists Leaders and Members

Unionists trying to draw ILO attention: government

Monday, August 15, 2011

Fiji Trade Union Congress members who were disbanded from their meeting on Saturday were trying to get international attention as an ILO delegation was in the country - says government spokesperson Sharon Smith-Johns.
According to the ministry police stopped the gathering as the union did not have a permit to hold the meeting - as required under the Public Emergency Regulation.
Smith-Johns says there have been numerous requests and reminders by government to get permits when holding meetings and yet this was ignored by the union members.
She says - the actions of the unionists were intentional.
"They know that they need a permit. So - to go ahead and hold a meeting without a permit is starting to look malicious because we've got the ILO in the country. They know the rules! So - why would they go ahead and have a meeting without a permit except to draw attention to yourself through the media."
No arrests were made when the meeting was disbanded.
Two weeks ago - two unionists were charged for breaching the PER when they held a meeting without a permit.