NZ companies can sue over cargo ban

New Zealand companies affected by a union ban on handling Fijian cargo had the right to sue for damages, Labour Minister Margaret Wilson told Parliament yesterday.

Ms Wilson said the Government could not act against the unions, even though it considered the ban unlawful.

However, the Employment Contracts Act allowed employers to take action against staff taking part in the boycott.

"No Government or minister condones any unlawful action, [but] there is no authority for me under the Employment Contracts Act to intervene in this matter."