19 Sep 2012

High ranking ILO delegation ordered out of Fiji

4:45 pm on 19 September 2012

Trade unions in Fiji say the Government has ordered a high-ranking delegation from the International Labour Organisation out of Fiji today.

The Fiji Trades Union Congress says the delegation, led by Judge Abdul Koroma of the International Court of Justice, was sent to look at labour laws in Fiji and the decrees that constrain fundamental rights of workers there.

The congress general-secretary, Felix Anthony, says Fiji's interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama indicated the delegation would be welcome.

But Mr Anthony says the delegation's first meeting with the government on Monday was abandoned, and today they were told to leave.

The International Labour Organisation's regional office in Suva has confirmed the delegation is leaving early but hasn't provided any further details.