Fiji Daily Post Workers Call Off Strike

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DAILY POST WORKERS WIN RECOGNITION, CALL OFF STRIKE
http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/docs/news/wansolnews/2002/2002dec/wansol0612021.html

SUVA (Wansolwara Online/Pacific Media Watch): Striking Daily Post workers returned to work today after winning the Fiji's Labour Ministry recognition of their protest as a trade dispute, reports The Fiji Times.

About 60 workers have been on strike since November 7.

The breakthrough came yesterday after the Public Enterprises Minister, Irami Matairavula, told the Labour Minister Kenneth Zinck that the striking workers formed the majority and ought to be recognised.

The editorial and production workers had been pressing for better salaries and working conditions, alleging that the Post, in which the Fiji Government maintains a 44 percent stake, had breached the country's labour laws by failing to pay them superannuation and other entitlements.

They also called for the removal of editor/publisher Yashwant Gaundar and board chairman Malakai Nayaga.

The Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) general secretary, Rajeshwar Singh, said the striking workers got the recognition they wanted.

Singh said the workers were protected under the recognition and had no reason to fear victimisation, reported The Fiji Times.

Nayaga said the workers would not be victimised. A report into the workers' grievances prepared by a consultant had been received and would be looked into, he said.

The workers turned up at the Post's central Suva office yesterday afternoon but were not allowed in. They were told to return today.

+++niuswire

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