SUVA (FM96/PINA) — A weekend “Talanoa” meeting discussing differences between Fiji’s main political parties became a center for efforts to stop Australian trade union sanctions against Fiji air and sea links.
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, key ministers, Fiji Labor Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry and key party members were meeting at the Outrigger Resort on Fiji’s Coral Coast.
They were joined by leading trade unionists in a last ditch effort to find a solution to the ongoing impasse over union recognition at the state-owned Airports Fiji Ltd. This operates Fiji’s international airports in Nadi and Suva.
Australian trade unions have warned bans will be activated against Fiji from Monday if the long-running dispute is not resolved. Chaudhry was for many years a leading trade unionist and has close links with international unionists.
The Talanoa sessions are being mediated by Sitiveni Halapua, director of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu.
Qarase and Chaudhry had agreed to discuss three key issues: land problems, a multi-party Cabinet, and the 1997 Constitution.
Qarase told FM96 that the most critical issue is land and it is crucial they find common ground.
