Tongan princess makes appeal to striking workers

Princess Pilolevu, daughter of the King of Tonga, has made an emotional appeal to the kingdom's striking public servants to go back to work.

The Princess is representing King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV while he receives medical treatment in New Zealand,and yesterday she wept during a surprise appearance before striking workers.

She said she had been affected by violent protests outside the King's Auckland residence.

"Who here does not feel when someone curses your father?" the Matangi Tonga website quoted her as saying.

The Princess asked the workers, who have been on strike for five weeks, to go back to their jobs while talks were held.

"Who else will work our country but you and me," she said, urging that schools shut by the strike be reopened.

"Let our children return to school and do not drag them into an adults' argument."

- AAP