27 May 2020

Mass lay-offs at Fiji Airways a mass breach of contract

From , 5:01 am on 27 May 2020

The head of Fiji's union movement says the mass lay-offs at the national airline are in breach of contract and akin to a betrayal of family.

Nearly 800 staff were let go on Monday. They were given 48 hours to return any airline property, and to remove any personal belongings from offices.

The majority government-owned airline says the drastic step was caused by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

A view echoed by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, whose government on Monday approved a US$200 million loan.

But the secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, Felix Anthony, says it flies in the face of the financial success the airline's been claiming, and the layoffs could be a breach of contract.

He spoke to Dominic Godfrey.

Felix Anthony

Felix Anthony Photo: RNZ