Industrial Relations in Post-coup Fiji: a Taste of the 1990s

Abstract

1990-1 brought a number of major disputes in Fiji's key industries which threatened to escalate. In 1991, the interim government revealed plans to drastically amend labour legislation that would introduce several limitations on the functioning of trade unions and their use of industrial action. The first round of severe restrictions was contained in the National Economy and Sugar Protection Decrees promulgated in May 1991. These were lifted but further decrees in November provided legislation to tighten control over unions and their leaders. This paper places these changes against the economic restructuring in Fiji during the nineties but also emphasises the poUtical basis to this.