The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) has condemned the decision by Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) management to file a defamation claim against the Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF), describing the move as an attempt to silence legitimate union activity.
In a statement, FTUC National Secretary Felix Anthony said the court action was aimed at denying the union its right to communicate with members and to raise concerns about unresolved industrial issues.
“The facts are clear,” Mr Anthony said.
“The 2024 and 2025 Log of Claims remain unresolved. The 2024 claims have been outstanding for two years and the 2025 claims for one year, despite the Union’s patient attempts to resolve these matters.”
He said EFL had failed to demonstrate good faith by not entering negotiations on the claims.
“EFL would do well to genuinely engage with the Union and negotiate to amicably reach agreement. That is how responsible management is expected to behave,” he said.
Mr Anthony warned that legal action against the union amounted to an attack on freedom of speech and trade union rights.
“EFL’s effort to shut out the Union from communicating with its members is an effort to deny freedom of speech and legitimate trade union activity. This can never be tolerated nor condoned,” he said.
He described the defamation claim as out of step with modern industrial relations, adding that both parties would need to continue working together even after the dispute is resolved.
“Such court actions serve only to damage trust and relations between the parties and do not help in resolving the impasse,” he said.
The FTUC also linked the issue to wider public concerns surrounding EFL, including controversy over proposed electricity tariff increases.
“EFL needs to work on its reputational damage, and this court action further diminishes its reputation as a responsible employer,” Mr Anthony said.
The FTUC has called on the EFL Board to intervene immediately.
“We urge the Board to rein in management and work towards an amicable agreement rather than wasting resources by trying to deny workers and their union their fundamental rights,” Mr Anthony said.
