22 Aug 2012

Union concerned with Wages Order Deferment and Father Barr's Resignation

1:30 pm on 22 August 2012

The Fiji Trades Union Congress says it is extremely disappointed with the delay in the ten Wage Regulation Orders which it believes has led to the resignation of the Chairperson of the Wages Council.

Father Kevin Barr resigned from the Wages Council over delays in pay increases during his four-year tenure as Chairperson, with the latest Wage Orders deferred until the end of October.

The Trades Union Congress says the delay is bound to have negative impact on workers employed in the ten industries and says there was no consultation with Father Barr on the deferral but it was approved unilaterally by the government under the pressure from some employers.

It says such behaviour undermines tripartism and confidence in the sincerity of government to eradicate poverty.