Posted: Wednesday, 31 August 2011

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is calling for all charges to be dropped against Daniel Urai, President of the Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC) and General Secretary of the National Union of Hospitality, Catering and Tourism Industries Employees (NUHCTIE) and his colleague, Dinesh Gounder, organizer with NUHCTIE. These men were arrested by police on August 3, charged with “unlawful assembly” apparently for having met with union members regarding upcoming collective bargaining negotiations with hotel management. A hearing date has been set for September 2, 2011.

This year, the military dictatorship in Fiji has taken extraordinary measures to attempt to destroy trade unionism in Fiji. The regime has issued a series of executive decrees that, in effect, eliminate trade union rights in Fiji. The International Trade Union Confederation is coordinating a global day of action on September 1 to send letters to Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Josaia Vorege Bainimarama calling for the charges against Mr. Urai and Mr. Gounder to be dropped immediately and denouncing the ongoing attacks on trade unionists and trade unionism.

Please download this model letter so that you can send it to Commodore Bainimarama.