UN body criticises Fiji governments treatment of trade unions November 6th 2013 Fiji is one of three countries described as serious and urgent cases in a report by the Committee on Freedom of Association, a governing body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO, an agency of the UN). Analysis The Committee defines such cases as those involving human life or personal freedom, or new or changing conditions affecting the freedom of action of a trade union movement. The report highlighted claims that the Fijian military has threatened and intimidated trade unionists, and it also expressed concern about the arrest of union members and leaders for demonstrating against the countrys new constitution in September 2013. It also criticised excessive restrictions on trade union meetings and rules preventing union officials from being members of, and expressing support for, a political party. The Committee called on the interim government, led by Fijis military commander and prime minister, Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, to allow an ILO delegation back into the country as a matter of urgency. The interim government invited an ILO delegation to visit the country in September 2012, after Fijian trade unions complained that they were being denied their labour rights. However, the government cut short the delegations meeting with the Fijian labour minister, Jone Usumate, and expelled the mission from the country. According to a statement subsequently issued by the Geneva based ILO, the government sought to change the previously agreed terms of reference for the mission and the proposed new terms were deemed by the UN body to represent an unacceptable, significant and serious deviation from the object and purpose of the mission. The national secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress and general secretary of the Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union, Felix Anthony, responded to the latest report by calling on the ILO to take action against Mr Bainimaramas government. However, the consensus among legal experts is that there is little the ILO can do beyond expressing its concern. Impact on the forecast Our forecast is unlikely to change, as the latest friction with the ILO will not affect preparations for the general election expected to take place in 2014. However, the governing regimes continued harsh treatment of groups it perceives as hostile will do little to ease worries that the forthcoming poll will not be free and fair, and that an election perceived as undemocratic could lead to political instability. country.eiu/article.aspx?articleid=1521142936&Country=Fiji&topic=Politics&subtopic=Forecast&subsubtopic=Political+stability&u=1&pid=101084394&oid=101084394&uid=1
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 02:00:04 +0000
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