Fairtrade joins calls for restoration of workers’ rights in Fiji

Fairtrade International (FLO), the IUF, ITUC and British TUC have issued a joint statement calling for “full restoration of workers’ and farmers’ rights to.. freedom of association and collective bargaining  to be recognized..as a key part of the process of democratic reform in Fiji”.

The statement continues “We believe that an essential step towards that goal will be to resume a dialogue on workers’ rights with local and international stakeholders, including the ILO. We are committed to working with all the relevant stakeholders in order to improve industrial relations in the Fijian sugar industry”.

All of Fiji’s sugar crop is bought by UK-based sugar processors,Tate& Lyle including a part coming from fairtrade certified sugar farmers which is sold under the fairtrade label.

IUF general secretary Ron Oswald commented “We very much welcome the support of Fairtrade International in the campaign for restoration of workers’ rights and democracy in Fiji”.