Workers from the Asian Paint [SP] Ltd has received a 6% wage increase following the intervention of the Ministry of Labour’s Mediation Services Unit.
Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations & Employment Mr Jone Usamate said that the timely intervention of Ministry’s Mediation Services had averted the potential strike which could have taken place if Fiji Sugar and General Workers Union [FSGWU] succeeded in securing a strike mandate in a secret ballot due today from its members employed at Asian Paints [SP] Ltd.
The Union had issued 21 days notice on 21st November 2012 to the Ministry, for conducting secret ballot in an attempt to obtain strike mandate from its members.
The issues upon which the union sought strike mandated related primarily to the parties unable to reach agreement on Union’s 2012 Log of Claims which has been subject of intense negotiations between the parties for some time. While the parties had attempted to amicably resolve the issues through good faith discussion their efforts did not achieve the desired outcome.
In order to maintain the continued stability in the labour market and as a proactive measure, the Permanent Secretary for labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Mr Taito Waqa had activated an Informal Mediation through the Mediation Services intervention to resolve the impending dispute.
In this regard, the Permanent Secretary had assigned the Chief Mediator Mr Vimlesh Maharaj to initiate mediation proceedings. In the series of mediation meetings, the parties were finally able to finally reach commonality and a consensus on all the issues reported in the notice by the union.
The most significant issue which constitutes settlement agreement is increase in wages and allowances by 6% backdated to 1st July 2012 and commission of Job Evaluation Review of the positions identified by the parties.
Minister Usamate said that the amicable resolution of the issues is a testimony of parties to use the mediation services to avert industrial action and work cooperatively in good faith to sustain a stable employment relationship in the industry.
The union had reciprocated by withdrawing the notice of secret ballot thereby completely obviating any possibility of strike.
“I wish to thank the General Manger of Asian Paints [SP] Ltd, Mr. Swapnil Talekar and General Secretary of the Union Mr. Felix Anthony and his Assistant Mr. Mikaeli Mataka for their wisdom and firm commitment to find a lasting solution to the matters in dispute, Mr. Usamate added.
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