FTUC pushes for stronger worker organisation

Fiji Trade Union Congress president Daniel Urai says the future of Fiji’s union movement depends on how well unions organise amid growing challenges facing workers and labour groups across the region.

Speaking at the Trade Union Leaders Planning Symposium at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi yesterday, Mr Urai said strong organisation would determine whether unions remained effective and relevant.

“The most important issue I’m discussing is organising. That’s where the change in the movement is going. We can only stay alive if we organise. That is the most important factor,” he said.

Delegates from Australian, New Zealand and Pacific unions attended the meeting, which focused on the future direction of the labour movement.

“This is an opportunity for us as leaders to plan, discuss and see where we are taking the union movement in Fiji,” Mr Urai said.

He said involving Fiji representatives in regional discussions was important in shaping the movement’s direction.

“There are a lot of challenges in individual countries,” he said.

“We have good governments, we have bad governments and we have some not very good governments. But those are the challenges we face as trade union leaders.

“We have the opportunity today to discuss and plan ahead on what we want to happen.”

Mr Urai also stressed the importance of greater involvement of women and young people in the union movement, saying they were critical to its future in Fiji.