An EI delegation is attending regional meetings on labour standards in Fiji. EI representatives are holding talks with teachers' representatives from the Fijian Teachers' Association and the Fiji Teacher Union who deplored the clampdown on union rights since the 2006 coup.
Despite international trade union campaigns and strong recommendations from the ILO, the Government of Commodore Bainimarama sticks to an agenda impoverishing workers and disempowering unions.
In the teaching sector and public service in general, decrees have been adopted to weaken the union movement. The check-off system has been abolished in 2010, the consultation avenues which existed previously have been suspended, grievance mechanisms no longer exist for teachers and meetings of more than four individuals require cumbersome prior authorisation.
Despite public commitments to education, teacher conditions have worsened. Education authorities imposed, without consultation, that the retirement age be advanced to 55, that careers be turned into renewable three-year contracts and that pension benefits be reduced from 15 per cent to 8 per cent of the public servants' retirement fund. The situation is such that many teachers consider exile to other Pacific Islands to maintain subsistence.
Despite the fact that unions are crippled, teachers have maintained their union membership and together, the EI affiliates represent over 80 per cent of the teaching profession.
FTA and FTU have asked EI to give visibility to the teachers' frustrating situation and to continue exerting pressure through relevant fora, notably the ILO, to request that the Fiji Government respects international labour standards.