29 Aug 2005

Fiji NGOs show solidarity with Tongan strikers

10:13 am on 29 August 2005

Fiji NGOs and trade unions are taking solidarity action to support the Tongan public servants' strike which has entered its fifth week.

The Daily Post reports that the Fiji Women's Rights Movement is collecting money to support the families of the Tongan strikers.

The Movement's executive director, Virisila Buadromo, says they support the women strikers for standing up for their economic and employment rights.

Noelene Nabulivou of Women's Action for Change says they are rallying to assist other Pacific women in need and to acknowledge that in conflicts women are the most affected.

Both NGOs have called on all women's organisations, professional associations and trade unions to come to the assistance of their Tongan colleagues and send them messages of support and solidarity.

The general secretary of the Fiji Public Service Association, Rajeshwar Singh, says they have already sent a small sum of money to their Tongan colleagues to fund legal action and are ready to provide further assistance.