TUC condemns arrest of Fijian trade unionist.

Dear High Commissioner

Arrest of Mr Daniel Urai, President of Fiji Trades Union Congress

On behalf of the TUC General Council, I write to express our outrage over the arrest of Mr Daniel Urai, President, Fiji Trades Union Congress, on 03 August 2011 in Suva.

We note that the arrest of the FTUC President comes in the wake of the introduction of a new decree which further restricts the exercise of trade union and human rights in Fiji under the military regime.

The arrests of trade unionists are a gross violation of the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Moreover, Fiji, which ratified Convention 98(1974) and Convention 87 (2002), is obliged to observe the workers' rights enshrined in them. Furthermore, these incidents constitute a serious impediment to Fiji's long overdue return to democracy, tarnish the image of your country and further aggravate the current difficulties, making social dialogue and reconciliation even more difficult.

We urge you to pass on our deep concern over the safety and wellbeing of Mr Daniel Urai to your Government, and use your influence with the authorities to ensure that the colleague concerned is released without delay and that the people of Fiji are allowed to exercise their democratic rights without interference from the State.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary