Tears for Tongan strike

Dr Viliami Fakava breaks down at a meeting with New Zealand Tongans last night. Picture / Martin Sykes

The desperation of Tonga's striking civil service workers was brought home to a crowded church service in Otahuhu last night.

Four workers spoke on behalf of about 1000 colleagues who are now entering their sixth week of strike action against the Tongan Government.

Viliami Fakava, assistant director at the Agriculture Ministry, broke down as he told about 200 people at the Tongan Wesleyan Church of New Zealand why he was standing with fellow workers who earned far less than he did. The workers want a 60 to 80 per cent pay rise. Some reportedly earn as little as NZ$35 a week.

A New Zealand delegation, headed by retired Employment Court judge Tom Goddard and union leader Ross Wilson, failed at the weekend to mediate a negotiation between the parties.

Speaking after the service, Sione Fifita, an adviser at the Tongan Ministry of Works, Commerce and Industries, said the team failed because of possible bias.

He said before the team left for Tonga, Judge Goddard met Feleti Sevele, Tongan Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries.

"[Dr Sevele] was flown out to New Zealand to talk with Goddard on behalf of the Tongan Government," Mr Fifita said. "After we found out, we were reluctant to accept him as the mediator because of the possibility of bias in his judgment."

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff confirmed Dr Sevele was in New Zealand last week, but did not know if he had met Judge Goddard.

But he said any concerns over Judge Goddard would have stopped the team departing.

"The team would not have gone to Tonga without the agreement of both sides that they wanted [Judge Goddard] there. That was a precondition," Mr Goff said.

Mr Wilson said he was not aware of any meeting between Judge Goddard and Tongan Government officials.

Auckland barrister Nelson Tupou, who invited the workers to Auckland, said the community had donated about $12,000 to help striking workers.

Mr Fifita said the assistance would strengthen bargaining power and give the workers unity.

He said fears of violence increased the longer the strike continued.

"They are showing their sympathy for us," he said of those responsible for attacks in which Government cars and buildings have been torched.

"But we have urged them not to continue as that is an obstacle to the process."