Hundreds of Fiji Airways, ATS workers to get jobs back

has said and has articulated the fact that we want everyone to be brought back and we are working towards that process,” said Mr Gavoka.

“I had meetings today with ATS both the management and the workers’ representation and they will be resolving that issue.

“The message is very clear: We want everyone to go back to work. That is from the highest level of the coalition Government and I articulate that being part of my ministry and there is no ambiguity about that, we are very clear on that.” He said the process would happen gradually.

“In some cases it will be immediate, in some cases there will be some issues that need to be resolved,” said Mr Gavoka. “With Fiji Airways, they are also in the process of resolving that issue. It will take a few days.”

As the minister, he was responsible for issuing directives together with the Ministry of Employment and the Office of the Attorney-General.

He is also pleading with the group of workers to be patient and to trust the process.

“COVID was COVID, there was no textbook to follow with COVID, you could not consult a book to say this is how you could handle a crisis like this we really had to survive on a day to day basis.”

Like airlines across the world, Fiji Airways had cut its workforce by half. From reports, the national carrier terminated 758 employees ranging from pilots – both local and expatriates and cabin crew. As borders began to open, it is understood that a significant number were re-employed.

FASA response

Federated Airline Staff Association (FASA), president, Semisi Turagabaleti, confirmed the factors which needed to be considered as outlined by Mr Gavoka.

“Those who have returned to ATS under short term contracts, workers that have left our shores to find employment overseas and many that have also found employment with local companies,” he outlined. “The Union/FASA will need to co-ordinate with ATS to get a true reflection of this.

“Processes will have to be followed regarding the reinstatement of workers and compliance to the ATS/FASA Collective Agreement but the initiative by the government and the minister(s) responsible is the first step in the right direction.”

FASA was still working towards the number of staff that would return, he added.

FASA is the union representative for employees in the company that nominates workers to sit in joint committees.

Former flight attendants

Former Fiji Airways cabin crew member, Veilawa Soko, said the news was a burden off his shoulders.

“I feel really happy and relieved that finally we are getting something after we had gone to the Employment Tribunal,” said Mr Soko. “All our cases we haven’t heard anything from the magistrate, our last hearing was in October 2021 where the magistrate was supposed to give a ruling but hasn’t and we have been waiting, it is now more than a year.”

Mr Soko is referring to the case where more than 200 of the cabin crew took legal action on the grounds of unfair dismissal by seeking legal redress under the Employment Relations Tribunal.

“I am so thankful and my former colleagues as well are getting their jobs back,” he said.

“It’s not only me but a lot of people who were affected through the termination are happy.”

It has been more than two years now since his termination and has resorted to doing business and participating in politics.

Another former cabin crew member, Sylvia Hesaie, said it was wonderful to hear that the job she loved would be given back to her soon. Ms Hesaie, who is a single mother of one, started at the airline in 2017 until the 2020 termination.