General

Trade Union movement

Fiji public servants denounce takeover

Send a letter or email of support to fpsags@connect.com.fj

Australian unions, including the CPSU-SPSF, are calling for support for Fijian public servants, who are being harrassed and intimidated after a military coup in their country.

CPSU-SPSF Federal Secretary David Carey said our Fijian brothers and sisters were strong supporters of the Australian trade union movement on November 30.

"Despite the coup plans and unstettled political circumstances they bravely stood up for us and protested outside the Australian embassy on that day," said Carey.

Singh said the union did not condone the action of the military and wanted the restoration of democracy and rule of law.

He also warned the military that although it had fired the top brass of the public service as they had refused to comply with orders, they must not touch anymore civil servants.

"My advice to the military is not to inflame the already messy situation and to restrain from touching any more civil servants because it will spell disaster."

He maintained that the 1997 Constitution was still intact and keeping this in mind the civil servants must act in accordance with the Public Service Act.

"In the last three coups, the civil servants have been the backbone of the nation and I urge the military to respect the fact that they have run the country in the past."

Singh reminded civil servants that the Constitution was still alive and they need to carry on with their work in accordance to the Public service act.

The ACTU and NZ trade unions earlier today put out a statement saying: "The union movement internationally is opposed to this coup and will support action by the Fiji union movement and the many other pro-democracy supporters in their opposition to this attempt at illegal military dictatorship."

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/latest_news/general/20061208_public.html
Last Modified: 08 Dec 2006