13 Dec 2011

Fiji union leader says no legal basis for denying entry to overseas mission

2:30 pm on 13 December 2011

A union leader in Fiji says there's no legal basis for the Fiji regime to turn New Zealand and Australian union leaders away when they arrive in Nadi this afternoon.

The leaders of both countries' umbrella union bodies are due to touch down shortly on a fact-finding mission but Fiji's interim government says they will not be allowed to come into the country.

The president of the Fiji Trades Union Congress Daniel Urai says Fiji union leaders will be at the airport for the group's arrival.

"They've committed no crime. The Fiji government put (a call) out to the Australian and New Zealand unions to come and see for yourself what is happening in Fiji. They are going now so we see no legitimate reason to stop them."

Daniel Urai says authorities notified him this morning that local unions have been denied a permit to meet the mission under Fiji's Public Emergency Regulations.