The Executives of Fiji Islands Council of Trade Unions (FICTU) and Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) met yesterday following ongoing discussions between the two national unions and decided to unite.

The parties discussed the unity process and agreed that a follow-up meeting will be held on October 23, in Suva to make the final preparations to merge the two organizations.

FTUC national secretary Felix Anthony said they looked forward to welcoming FICTU back.

He claimed that it is impossible “to even conduct secret ballots for industrial action as the Permanent Secretary habitually refuses to supervise any ballots”.

“Trade Unionists are not allowed to participate in politics or even be a member of a political party. A clear denial of our fundamental human rights. The list goes on.

“Having considered all these, both FICTU and FTUC have decided to unite. All FICTU affiliates will rejoin the FTUC. A National Council Meeting of FTUC will be held on Saturday, 27th October 2018 where all affiliates of FICTU will be welcomed back into FTUC.

“We seek to unite to ensure that we stand up for workers in Fiji with one voice and ensure that workers’ rights are fully respected and implemented. We shall continue to strive for decent work and dignity at work.

“The FTUC records its appreciation to the executives of FICTU and in particular the efforts of Mr. Attar Singh, the past secretary of FICTU in the unity talks,” Mr Anthony said.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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