FIJI Water Claims Workers' Strike is 'Illegal'

Natural Waters Viti Limited (FIJI Water) has claimed that its workers’ industrial action was illegal.

This is because the workers’ concerns and those of the company’s were submitted to the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations.

As such the ministry was yet to decide on the dispute, a spokesperson from the company claimed.

Yesterday was Day 4 of the strike by the fleet workers at the Naikabula Depot in Lautoka and major department staff members at the FIJI Water plant in Yaqara, Ra.

“FIJI Water takes great pride in being one of the best employers in Fiji and operating one of the most advanced and safest plants in the world,” the spokesperson said.

“Our company provides among the highest wages and best benefits in Fiji.

“That includes a 13.5 per cent wage increase in 2022 and our recent offers to the Union that equal to an additional 17 per cent pay increase for hourly paid workers.

“We have also offered a new roster pattern that would give workers 17 more days off each year.

“Instead, the Union has elected to engage in a strike that harms workers who will not receive wages while on strike.

Commitment

“We remain committed to resolving the issues with the Union.”

In an earlier report, the FIJI Water workers went on strike after it believed that its log of claims post- COVID were not met by the company.

National Union of Workers (NUW) is negotiating with the company and stakeholders on the workers’ behalf.

There are 43 workers at Naikabula and 125 from Yaqara, who are on strike.

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