Call for Boycott of PAFCO's products

16 September 2003

Two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Fiji are joining calls for a consumer boycott of products made by the Fiji government-owned Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) and its American partner Bumble Bee International. They have made a list of all PAFCO and Bumble Bee labels and product brands which will be circulated nationally and internationally.

The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) and Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA) say it is time Fiji and international consumers made a stand against the appalling working conditions of PAFCO workers, and support their action to go on strike in pursuit of their rights.

"Consumers of Fiji cannot passively sit by anymore and watch the suffering of PAFCO workers pass before their eyes, said PANG coordinator, Stanley Simpson. "As a religious, communal and socially conscious people we must show that we will not condone injustice done to the striking workers of Levuka.

"Until the company respects the workers concerns, we urge consumers not to buy PAFCO products which has labels such as Sun Bell, Koro Sea, Ovalau Blue and Old Capital Special."

"We will also launch our campaign overseas to boycott Bumble Bee's products which include the Bumble Bee and Clover Leaf brand labels. As a partner, Bumble Bee has a responsibility to ensure that PAFCO treats its workers right," Simpson said. "While we are mindful of the impacts this may have on the Levuka and Fiji economy, people and especially PAFCO must also be mindful of the suffering the striking workers are going through."

Political leaders and successive Fiji governments over the years have done little to resolve the plight of PAFCO's workers even though they have had a number of important judgements delivered in their favour.

These include arbitration rulings in 1996 by former Permanent Arbitrator and Judge of the High Court, high chief Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, and in April this year, by Arbitrator G.P. Lala. There has also been a High Court judgement in January 2002 in the workers favour.

"But instead of implementing these rulings, and bring long overdue justice to the workers, PAFCO's response has been to oppose and drag matters back to court," Simpson said.

In fact, none of the awards in favour of Fijian workers at PAFCO have seen the full light of day, because each one of them has been challenged by PAFCO. It is now over one and a half years since the High Court judgement of Justice Byrne, and six years since the Arbitration award was granted by Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi. The GP Lala award has met a similar fate.

"Consumers must now intervene. The workers, especially the women of Levuka have suffered and struggled long enough," Simpson said.

For more information please contact Stanley Simpson or Shelly Rao on Phone : 3316 722 or 9259 643 or 3307 588 or e-mail: pang@connect.com.fj or econjust@ecrea.org.fj.