The Coalition Government, through the Ministry for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, welcomed the successful finalization of an agreement between Yaqara Pastoral PTE Ltd and the National Union of Workers, following government-mediated negotiations concluded yesterday evening.
Dialogue wrapped up around 7:30 p.m. yesterday, after four hours of intensive negotiations, both parties reached consensus and formally signed an agreement, marking the resolution of the recent industrial dispute.
The agreement was signed by the General Secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, Mr. Felix Anthony, and the Chairman of the Yaqara Pastoral PTE Ltd Board, Mr. Uraia Waibuta.
The settlement addresses the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) payout backdated to 2024 and 2025, as well as compensation relating to other terms and conditions of employment under the collective agreement that had not been fully complied with by the employer.
Under the terms of the agreement, the COLA payment will be made in three tranches:
The first payment will be made in the first week of March 2026; the second payment will be paid by the end of June 2026; and the third and final payment will be made by the end of November 2026.
In addition, the new wage rates will be adjusted and reflected in the next pay cycle.
The Minister for Employment expressed appreciation to both the employer and the Union for their commitment and constructive engagement throughout the negotiations.
“This outcome demonstrates what can be achieved when all parties come to the table in good faith,” the Minister said.
“The Government’s objective is to ensure that neither workers nor management experience undue hardship. We are committed to looking after the interests of everyone involved.”
The Minister acknowledged the workers’ rights to raise their concerns and noted that they acted as they deemed necessary under the circumstances. He further commended Mr. Anthony for leading the process toward finalizing the agreement and recognized the instrumental role played by the Chairman of the Board, whose goodwill and insistence on concluding the agreement without delay were crucial in achieving this resolution.
With the agreement now settled, the matter is considered resolved.
The Ministry reiterates its commitment to fostering constructive dialogue, protecting workers’ rights, and supporting sustainable industrial relations across all sectors.
