Fiji: Trade union nationwide strike set for May 3-4 called off /update 1

Event

The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) announced on Thursday, May 2, that a nationwide strike set to take place on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, to denounce proposed reforms to country labor laws and to demand a minimum wage increase , has now been called off. According to representatives, an emergency union board meeting held on Thursday, May 2, was interrupted by criminal investigators while a search was conducted at FTUC's national secretary and headquarters. At least 30 union members were arrested, including several union leaders. A related demonstration in Nadi, initially planned to take place on Saturday, May 4, was reportedly shutdown by the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA).

Renewed calls for strikes or protests remain possible despite this development. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected in the vicinity of any related demonstrations

Context

The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) is the largest federation of trade unions in the country, representing 35 affiliated unions and a wide cross-section of Fiji's workforce. The government arrested FTUC leader Felix Anthony on May 1 for alleged attempts to "derail" the May 1-5 Asian Development Bank forum in Fiji. 

Advice

Individuals in Fiji are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests as a precaution, anticipate a heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions, and refrain from discussing domestic political issues in public.