The Government said they hope that common sense will prevail and the sugar mill workers who have voted to go on strike will not do so.
Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union General Secretary, Felix Anthony said 67.5 percent of the membership voted, of which 90 percent voted in favor of strike action which fulfills the legal requirement for strike action.
In a statement, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum said the Government's chief concern is the 200,000 Fijians who depend on the sugar cane industry for their survival.
He said the government has made a substantial investment to rescue the industry from collapse.
Sayed Khaiyum said the government has also renewed more land leases, given confidence to farmers, and put more money into research, which has resulted in better yields.
The Attorney General said as a result of government's reforms, FSC employees have received a 5.3 percent pay rise and improved benefits, and can look forward to better job security and more opportunities as the FSC continues to improve its performance.
He added given this enormous investment and the importance of this industry to the national economy, the Government cannot allow this industry to collapse because of the actions of a minority.
The Attorney General stresses that there is no more important industry in Fiji than sugar cane.
He said one way or another; the mills will need to continue to operate even if some people abandon their jobs.
Felix Anthony said in a union statement that the Union held secret ballots in all its members’= workplaces for strike action in compliance with the Employment Relations Promulgation.
Anthony said the National Executive Committee of the Union will now decide on the next course of action.
He alleged that the FSC management held meetings and threatened workers not to participate in the strike vote, telling members that government would be told of those that participate.
Anthony also said that the Attorney General's comments that the sugar mills will continue to operate irrespective of the workers decision is regrettable.
More than 2,000 mill workers at the FSC have received a 5.3 percent pay increase, equal access to health insurance and access to the special welfare fund.
The health insurance is now available to all workers, with FSC paying for 50 percent of the premium.
Anthony said they want a higher rate of increment.
We have been trying to speak to Felix Anthony however his office keeps saying that he is in a meeting and no longer carries a mobile phone.
Story by: Vijay Narayan/Sofaia Koroitanoa
