No resolution reached as yet

No resolution has been reached as yet in relation to about 36 Fiji Airports Limited air traffic controllers staying away from work.

Although Fiji Airports Executive Chairman Faiz Khan has maintained that their doors are open for discussions with the striking workers, no meeting is taking place today.

We have tried to speak to Khan but he has said that he will not make any comments to the media as he wanted to discuss the issues directly with the workers.

Fiji Airports Executive Chairman Faiz Khan

When approached by Fijivillage for an interview, Minister for Employment Parveen Bala says that he has issued a press statement in regards to the issue and he will comment not further.

Bala has stated that from the 18th to the 20th of this month, a total of 33 Air Traffic controllers have taken various forms of leave while demanding increases to their pay from Fiji Airports Limited.

He says the worker’s coordinated and continued refusal to attend work, along with the demands put forward by the workers, are clear indications that a strike is underway.

Bala says under the Act, this conduct amounts to an unlawful strike given no notice of secret ballot was provided to the Registrar of Trade Unions for a strike mandate.

Employment Minister Parveen Bala

He says participation in the strike therefore constitutes an offence.

The Minister for Employment has also encouraged both parties to continue to dialogue in good faith and to resolve their grievances amicably.

The Fiji Public Service Association which is representing the striking workers is maintaining that the workers are absent and they are not on strike.

Employment Minister Parveen Bala

General Secretary Rajeshwar Singh says they had filed a log of claims for salary increase for Fiji Airports.

Singh says this was done in 2016 for a 15 percent pay increase and it was done together with the proposal by the Air Traffic Control staff.

Singh claims that 4 out of 33 air traffic controllers are manning the control tower at Nadi Airport while 1 out of 8 controllers is currently working in Nausori.

He also says that they will not enter any discussions if Fiji Airports disciplines the workers for staying away from work.

Singh says a meeting scheduled with Minister Bala and Fiji Airports did not take place yesterday.

Fiji Airports is expected to comment later today.