KEY POINTS:
About 10,000 public service workers have gone on strike in Fiji, with the interim government bracing itself for a drawn-out affair.
The workers want full restoration of their recent 5 per cent civil service pay cut, among other demands.
Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has said the Government will not give in to the unions.
The strike began at 8am today, compounding an eight-day strike already undertaken by the 4000 members of the Fiji Nursing Association.
"I would like to assure the people of Fiji that government will not allow groups such as FICTU (Council of Trade Unions) and FNA (nurses' association) to promote their self interest and political motives at the expense of the country's welfare and well-being," Cdre Bainimarama said.
"I am confident that normal services, although at reduced level in some areas, will continue to be provided to members of the public despite the strike action."
Interim Public Service Minister Poseci Bune is confident that government's contingency plans will hold out against the nationwide strike by nurses, website fijilive reported.
"We will see who is going to sustain. The hospital services or their families," said Bune.
Cdre Bainimarama said the contingency plans have specific measures and actions to counter possible service disruptions in public works, civil aviation and transport, operations of ports of entry and the maintenance of government assets and property.
The police and military are an integral part of the contingency plans.
Meanwhile, leading unionist Taniela Tabu has said his life had been threatened by the military.
Mr Tabu said he was detained by the military yesterday and allegedly assaulted and made to run in drizzling rain in only his undergarments, the Fiji Times reported.
He said military officers threatened to kill him if they had to take him up to the Queen Elizabeth Barracks again.
"Trade unions leaders are persecuted all over the world, now we are getting a taste," he said.
He was later taken to a police station and told of the charge he is now facing.
"Allegation was clarified by police: I made a statement discrediting the interim government when I said that Bainimarama is not the PM but (Mahendra) Chaudhry," said Mr Tabu.
- NZPA
