'Pay Workers Their Worth'
In this case, CETWUF is taking Aspen Medical to court for lack of progress on the union's Log of Claims
Thursday 05 June 2025 | 10:00
Updated 08 August 2025 | 15:38 FJT
Construction Energy Timber Workers Union of Fiji representative Sailesh Naidu at the High Court in Suva on June 4, 2025. Photo: Beranadeta Nagatalevu
The High Court Judge Justice Chaitanya Lakshman believes workers must be paid workers must be paid what they’re worth to lessen brain drain in the country.
His advice followed a civil lawsuit initiated yesterday by the Construction Energy Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) and Aspen Medical.
In this case, CETWUF is taking Aspen Medical to court for lack of progress on the union’s Log of Claims.
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During the proceeding, union representative, Sailesh Naidu, raised in court that 13 items on the union’s Log of Claims were agreed upon by Aspen Medical and CETWU on February 3 this year.
However, time was given until the end of February to resolve mattters on the other six issues.
Although not contentious, they still needed to be resolved as they involved the wages of the workers.
The six items included:
Public holiday pay (overtime);
Dirt allowance;
Meal allowance;
Loyalty payment;
Industrial injury and
Wage increase.
While Aspen Medical’s lawyer, Ronal Singh, proposed a two-week adjournment to consult with his client about their position, Justice Lakshman said it’s important that workers are paid what they’re worth.
He advised both parties that matters that could not be resolved will be dealt with before him and not to waste the court’s time.
Justice Lakshman advised both parties to also ensure they have dialogue because resolutions would be best dealt with among them and not the court.
In the meantime, Justice Lakshman is also waiting for the panelist’s name to be gazetted before they can sit alongside him for the judgment of this case.
The matter will be dealt with again on July 2.
Feedback: Beranadeta@fijisun.com.fj
