Education Unions Watching Fiji Teachers Situation

Education Unions Watching Fiji Teachers Industrial Situation

The Council of Pacific Education (COPE), an umbrella organisation of education unions in the Pacific, is urging the interim Fiji Government and the Fijian military to respect the rights of Fijian teachers, who are taking legal strike action today.

The teachers are fighting a five percent pay cut and a unilateral reduction of the retirement age from 60 to 55. They have joined some 10,000 public sector workers who are also on strike today. Yesterday, a public sector union leader was detained and threatened by the military.

COPE Vice President Colin Tarr called for the immediate reinstatement of the leader of the Fiji Teachers Union and COPE President, Tevita Koroi, who has been suspended indefinitely by the interim Government from his job as a principal because of his union work.

Mr Tarr said unions from around the world would be watching the Fijian military and the interim Government and their treatment of union members.

"The right to mobilise and take industrial action under the law is a fundamental right of working people," he said.

"Teachers in New Zealand will be appalled that their colleagues in Fiji face intimidation and the loss of their jobs for taking legal strike action. The action against Tevita Koroi is a breach of his human rights which must be addressed," Mr Tarr said.

ENDS

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