Some garment factories in Fiji are akin to “sweatshops” because of the culture in some workplaces.
This, according to Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) national secretary Felix Anthony at the Employment Relations Forum in Suva held recently.
He said the union was in talks with two companies, with negotiations having dragged on for years.
“It’s taken me six to eight years to negotiate a collective agreement with the two garment factories,” he said.
“We are still nowhere near an agreement because the management is either too busy, or it’s not the right time, despite an order of the tribunal.
“These same employers denied unions a visit to the workplace because it would disturb workers. Our garment workers are like in a sweatshop. Heads down, and simply get on with the work.
“Yet, at elections time, politicians from the Government side can visit the same factories and there are no problems whatsoever. So, we see the bias.”
Mr Anthony has also stressed to workplaces to adopt a change in mindset, and to take stock of the behaviour they had shown over the past 16 years.
“That’s important and we would like the Fiji Employers and Commerce Federation to attempt to create this awareness amongst their membership.
“And not only that, but call for some kind of discipline, so that they respect these fundamental rights that we’re talking about.”
Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh also responded that Government would mediate if there was a need.
“Just want to make one correction. When you say that workers representatives are not allowed in there (factories), I must put the record right that it was the previous government,” he said.
“We have not done anything like that as government.”
Questions have been sent to the two factories.
