Unions Criticise Selection of Fiji to Chair G77 Group

The international trade union movement has described the selection of Fiji to preside over the G77 group as a blow to the G77’s credibility and a serious setback for democracy and human rights. The G77 includes developing countries and China.

“The decision to have the military-sponsored Fiji dictatorship as the G77 chair in 2013 puts an odious stain of repression on this important international grouping. Less than two weeks ago, Fiji expelled a fact-finding mission from the UN’s International Labour Organisation. Now, Commodore Bainimarama’s regime will be speaking for the G77 at the UN, even as the people of Fiji, their unions, civic organisations and the media are harassed, intimidated and silenced,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

Pressure is nevertheless growing on the regime. Fair Trade recently
expressed its alarm at the attacks on workers’ rights in the sugar sector Today in Washington DC, the government must respond to allegations that it violated US trade law by violating workers’ rights, which may lead to the suspension of its trade preferences.

For further information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 62 10 18

photo: nianchew