http://destinationfiji.org/ - Ahead of the launch of regular flights to Australia of the
rebranded Fiji Airways next month, unions are urging potential Australian
tourists to find out more about the attacks on human and workers’ rights in
Fiji and think twice before visiting the island.
Unions have today launched a new global online
campaign aimed at raising awareness about the reality of life under Fiji's
military dictatorship, and calling for the Australian and New Zealand
Governments to turn up the pressure on regime leader Frank Bainimarama to
restore democracy.
The Destination Fiji:
A Vacation from Workers’ Rights campaign will use social media to allow
people to directly call for the use of Australia’s diplomatic and economic
clout to force change in Fiji, which has been living under a dictatorship since
the military seized control in a coup in 2006.
ACTU President Ged Kearney said recent developments in Fiji,
including the rejection of a new independently prepared draft Constitution,
pointed towards next year’s elections being a sham.
She said the regime had stripped workers of their wages and
conditions, free speech has been stifled and the country’s Constitution and
Bill of Rights have been treated with disdain.
Union leaders have been harassed and beaten, it is illegal for
more than three people to meet without a permit, and meanwhile, the average
Fijian’s standard of living has fallen under the dictatorship.
Ms Kearney said 60% of Fijian wage earners were living below the
poverty line, while the cost of living is skyrocketing.
“Australian and New Zealand tourists are the biggest visitors to
Fiji each year, attracted by the sunny weather, pristine beaches, and generous
hospitality of the locals,” she said.
“The new Fiji Airways [currently Air Pacific] will be trading on
this image of a tropical paradise when it begins regular flights to and from
Sydney next month, but people need to be aware that behind the picture postcard
images, there is little sunshine for the ordinary Fijian worker.
“We are not saying to people ‘don’t go to Fiji’, but we are
saying, if you do go, make sure you are aware of the real situation, and talk
to the locals about what is really happening. You will find out that the
average hotel worker earns less than $3 an hour and that most wages are 15 to
30% below the poverty line.
“Spread the word to your friends, and tell the Australian
Government that it can do more to influence real change in Fiji. Australians
should join the international call for change and help ordinary Fijians get
their paradise back.”
The new campaign is jointly spearheaded by the ACTU, the International Trade Union Confederation, the
NZCTU and Equal Times. The campaign website is www.destinationfiji.org
Advice from ACTU www.actu.org.au
