Penang Mill workers watch as the first batch of cane is tipped over for crushing in June.
By JYOTI PRATIBHA
The Fiji Sugar Corporation has rebutted claims by the Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union over unfair treatment of workers.
Corporation executive chairman, Abdul Khan, said the claims which came in the form of a statement from the union were incorrect.
The Fiji Sugar and General Workers Unionhas served a notice to the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment of its intention to hold a secret ballot to decide whether or not they would go on a strike.
The union is demanding for a wage review of its members in all the sugar mills.
Union general secretary, Felix Anthony, claimed workers have not had any wage adjustment in seven years and have not been paid overtime due to them.
The union represents hundreds of general and casual workers of Fiji Sugar Corporation around the country.
Mr Khan said reasons outlined by Mr Anthony for an industrial were not true and incorrect.
“Firstly, what he is saying in his press release is incorrect,” he said.
“He is talking about overtime payment and that we are not making overtime payment. That is incorrect.
“People who are working overtime, they are being paid and they will be paid overtime.”
Staff aware of situation
Mr Khan said Mr Anthony also talks about the wages and salaries in the statement.
“He needs to be aware that all my people know that when we took on, the position the company was in, there were a few options,” he said.
“I had said to all of them that there would be no redundancies and I would secure them their jobs while we turn this company around.
“They were with me and I had also committed to reviewing their wages and salaries, which I am doing right now.”
Premature decision
Mr Khan said the threat of an industrial action was very premature and not backed with facts.
He said the turnaround in the operations of our mills were testimony of the fact that workers were content with their job conditions.
Mr Khansaid when he came in, with the dismal performance of the mills, he could have made some staff redundant, but that was one option he was never willing to explore.
Review underway
In return, Mr Khan had sought time before the wages and salaries of the workers were reviewed, which is being done now.
He said they would not be engaging in any dialogue with the union, but as employers, they would be talking directly with the employees.
A meeting is scheduled for this week.
Fiji Sugar Cane Growers Council acting chief executive Sundresh Chetty said commonsense should prevail.
He feels an industrial action would hurt the sugar industry, which was now on the way to making a comeback.