Celebrating 25 Years of Scoop
Fiji Union Leader Arrested Again
CTU Media release
30 October 2011
Fiji Union Leader Arrested Again
On Saturday 29th October, Daniel Urai, President of the Fiji Trade Union Congress was arrested at the Nadi Airport by Police and detained at the Airport Police Station. Daniel Urai was returning to Fiji from the CHOGM meeting in Perth.
Daniel Urai had previously been arrested on 3rd August for meeting hotel workers to discuss their working conditions.
Peter Conway, Secretary of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions has called for the immediate release of Daniel.
“This is a further breach of human rights in Fiji and yet another example of the intimidation of unions.”
“This is in the context of union opposition to the military dictatorship imposing decrees which drastically remove fundamental worker and trade union rights.”
The Commonwealth Trade Union Group told CHOGM that the United Nations should stop using Fijian soldiers as peace keepers around the world and also demanded that CHOGM condemn the Essential Industries Decree in Fiji.
Peter Conway said that the NZCTU is very concerned about the welfare of Daniel given the beatings that some union officials have received while in custody.
“New Zealanders need to consider these issues when planning holidays to Fiji. It is a military dictatorship that routinely breaches human rights”.
ENDS
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Te Kauae Kaimahi
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.
Save The Children: Two-thirds Of Children Interact Daily Online With People They Don't Know Despite Grooming Fears - Report
UN News: ‘Hell Is Breaking Loose In Lebanon’, Guterres Warns Security Council
Save The Children: Sudan - Children Under Fire As Parts Of Country Record Most Violent Month Since February
Climate Action Network: CAN International Calls On COP Troika To Prioritise Fair And Grant-based Climate Finance For NDCs Aligned With 1.5°C
Carter Capner Law: Singapore Airlines Still Trying To Spin Flight 321 Turbulence To Lowball Payouts
ITUC: Corporate Underminers Of Democracy - The Fight For Democracy In Global Institutions