Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) says issues raised in a Notice of Strike by the Construction, Energy & Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) are already before the Arbitration Court and are separate from defamation proceedings involving union officials.
In a statement, EFL said the strike notice forms part of Trade Dispute No. 4 of 2025, which is currently pending determination before the Arbitration Court.
“These issues were also raised in CETWUF’s Notice of Secret Ballot in August 2025 and are already the subject of proceedings before the Court,” EFL said.
The power utility also rejected claims published on the Fiji Times Official Facebook Page on 16 January 2026, which alleged that EFL filed legal action against the union shortly after a strike notice was issued.
EFL said the claim was misleading and factually incorrect, clarifying that the legal action referred to is a defamation case filed at the Lautoka High Court on 24 December 2025 against CETWUF and its General Secretary, John Paul.
According to EFL, the case relates to alleged defamatory statements made against the company’s Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Human Resources, and does not involve employment conditions or workplace matters.
“The defamation matter and the Notice of Strike are two separate and unrelated issues,” EFL said.
EFL added that it had requested the withdrawal and apology for the statements on several occasions, but this was not done, leaving the company with no option but to pursue legal action.
The statements were allegedly circulated through a CETWUF Viber group and in a CETWUF email dated 14 May 2025.
EFL said it respects the judicial process and will await the outcome of the matters currently before the courts.
The company also called for cooperation from employees during this period, noting the potential implications for electricity services should the dispute escalate.
