The Fiji Local Government Officers Association is calling on Government to intervene and assess the workers’ challenges in municipals council.

Association president Rohit Singh made this call at the Association’s 47th annual general meeting. The meeting was held at the Civic Centre in Nadi on Saturday.

Mr Singh urged the Minister for Local Government Parveen Kumar to discuss the issues of the Council workers at the Special Administrators’ and Chief Executive Officers Forum which will be held today in Lautoka.

“Our major concern that remains is the low rate wage of Ba Council staffs which is $2.36 per hour. This is no longer enough for any person to survive with their families,” Mr Singh said.

The Association secretary, Shalend Singh, said since last year the Association increased its members to 200 and they were trying to do their best to take care of all of their members.

He also said that despite the hurdles he was happy the Association was able to help 35 of its members post Cyclone Winston spending about $7000 in total.

“We are transparent in our work and all our members are given financial statements with proper audits,” Mr Singh said.

Present at the meeting was Fiji Trade Unions Congress (FTUC) national president, Daniel Urai who said Government needed to set up an arbitration court where the grievances and disputes could be heard.

“FTUC will continue to push for labour law reforms as it gives workers a level field,” Mr Urai said.

New office bearers for the position of:

President             Rohit Singh

Vice President   Shaizaz Ali,

Newal Naidu and

Charlie Saukuru

Secretary             Shalend Prem

Singh

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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