EFL agrees to pay increase

Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) has implemented an agreed salary increase and associated benefits following the successful conclusion of 2025 Log of Claims (LOC) negotiations with the Fiji Electricity Workers Association (FEWA).

The salary increment took effect from the second pay cycle of 2026 and has been backdated to January 1, 2026, pending the completion of formal documentation.

FEWA represents EFL employees in three categories — tradespersons, staff and senior staff.

Under the 2025 LOC, employees will receive a five per cent increase in base salary and allowances, additional employer Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) contributions for eligible workers based on years of service, and provisions allowing the use of unused sick leave from the previous two years in the current year.

The agreement also introduces 24-hour personal accident insurance for tradespersons, including live-line linespersons, along with other negotiated benefits.

EFL chief executive officer Fatiaki Amoe Gibson said the agreement followed a series of constructive negotiations conducted in good faith throughout 2025.

“Both parties reached agreement in principle in December 2025 on several key claims advanced by FEWA,” Mr Gibson said.

However, the Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) yesterday condemned EFL for concluding the 2025 LOC negotiations with FEWA.

CETWUF national secretary John Paul said the decision showed bad faith, claiming EFL had granted salary increases to FEWA members while the majority of workers, who are members of CETWUF, had issued a strike mandate.

“This is a bad faith and ruthless employer who chooses to give a small group of its workers a salary increase while the majority of workers remain in dispute,” Paul said.

He alleged the move discriminated against other EFL workers.

“If this is the case, then the planned strike will go ahead on the 15th,” Mr Paul said.