Seasonal workers at Lautoka Mill to be temporarily laid off

More than 100 seasonal workers employed at the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) Lautoka Mill will be temporarily laid off because of ongoing delays in sugar production.

FSC confirmed the development yesterday after an internal source revealed a stand-down notice issued to seasonal workers.

The notice states that the stand-down will take effect from Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

According to the notice, the decision has been made under the stand-down provisions of the existing collective agreement.

"This notice serves to inform you of the Corporation's decision to implement the stand-down provision of the existing collective agreement.

This difficult action will take effect on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, and specifically affects seasonal workers engaged at the Lautoka Mill.

As you are aware, the Lautoka Mill is currently experiencing a critical shortage of cane supply, which has resulted in a significant delay in factory operations and an inability to commence sugar production."

The notice said the operational disruption constituted a circumstance entirely beyond the Corporation's reasonable control.

It said if cane supply improved within the next seven days, the stand-down would not be applied to seasonal employees. Should cane supply improve either within or after the seven-day period, seasonal workers would be recalled immediately.

The notice also stated that only seasonal workers would be affected by the temporary arrangement.

"The Corporation has made every effort to mitigate the impact on our valued seasonal workers.

Since the initial delay, we have continued to provide alternative work in good faith.

However, with mill operations unable to start and all available work now exhausted, we regret that no further work is available."

Fiji Trades Union Congress national secretary Felix Anthony was contacted yesterday but declined to comment, saying he would respond at midday today.