Labasa Mill crushing disrupted by rostering dispute

Crushing operations at the FSC Labasa Mill were disrupted today after National Union of Workers members did not report for shift duties, citing unresolved rostering arrangements.

The union says workers remain on day duties while awaiting the signing of a memorandum covering shift rosters, leave entitlements and outstanding payments.

Union general secretary Rakesh Narayan said the matter stemmed from an unsigned memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the union and FSC covering shift rosters, leave entitlements and outstanding payments.

He said workers were advised to avoid shift work until the agreement is finalised.

“FSC advised us not to go on shift unless the rosters are signed,” Mr Narayan said.

He clarified that the decision did not amount to a work stoppage, with workers continuing under day duties instead of shift operations.

“It’s not that we are not going to work. We are doing day work, but not shift work,” he said.

Mr Narayan said the issue affects shift-based and seasonal workers engaged during the crushing period, with more than 100 workers impacted across different unions.

He said the union is awaiting resolution before normal shift operations resume.

Meanwhile, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has blamed the Fiji Sugar corporation (FSC) for delays in the start of crushing, warning that large quantities of harvested cane are at risk of deterioration.

NFU president Surendra Lal said unresolved industrial issues between FSC and the NUW have stalled mill operations at a critical time.

He said the Labasa Mill requires about 5,000 tonnes of cane to commence a crushing shift, but disruptions have prevented operations from starting.

Mr Lal claimed about 340,000 tonnes of harvested cane could be affected if delays continue, noting cane quality declines rapidly once harvested.

He said farmers should not be held responsible for losses caused by processing delays.

Mr Lal called for urgent discussions between Government, FSC and unions to resolve the dispute and avoid further losses to growers.