The National Union of Workers (NUW) says the Police have no role in industrial relations.

Union’s national secretary Felix Anthony said in an interview yesterday afternoon that industrial relations was something between the employer and the workers.

Mr Anthony claimed that Police officers provided security at all Water Authority of Fiji depots in large numbers yesterday and stopped the workers who lost their jobs from entering.

“Police officers stopped them so workers stayed out and they got harassed by Police officers and were told not to congregate,” he said.

“Some workers were chased from the gate when they were picketing. We believe that it’s workers right to picket.

“The workers then went to our union’s land opposite the Westpac Bank in Lautoka and Police officers also went there and removed some material.

“I spoke to the Commissioner of Police who said to read the Public Order Act and they would not allow what happened at Air Terminal Services.

“The Police, in fact, have no role in industrial relations because it’s something between the workers and the employers.”

Mr Anthony said workers were also removed from various WAF depots in Suva and they had to gather at the Fiji Trades Union Congress office at Des Voeux Road, Suva.

He also claimed that some workers were arrested by Police officers in Lautoka.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said last night that she was not in a position to comment as they were preparing a statement on what happened in Lautoka.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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