Australia complains over Fiji expulsions

September 20, 2012 - 4:20PM
Adam Gartrell, AAP Diplomatic Correspondent


AAP

The federal government has voiced concerns over Fiji's decision to expel a United Nations labour delegation.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) team travelled to Fiji this week to investigate complaints made by local trade unionists that they were being harassed and intimidated by the Fijian government.

Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama's office initially agreed to the fact-finding mission but apparently backflipped during the first meeting on Wednesday.

Commodore Bainimarama's office tried to foist a new terms of reference on the ILO team, led by former International Court of Justice judge Abdul Koroma.

But when the team refused to agree to the changes, they were told to leave immediately.

Australia's top diplomat in Suva has taken the Gillard government's concerns over the incident directly to Fijian officials.

"The ILO's mission to Fiji was seen by the international community as a step toward improving and upholding workers' rights," the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement on Thursday.

"It is regrettable that the ILO's mission has not proceeded."

The government has called on Fiji to work with the ILO to formulate a new terms of reference so the delegation can return to its job.

Australian Council of Trade Unions President Ged Kearney called Fiji's move a dangerous escalation in the regime's contempt for workers.

"This also shows how afraid of scrutiny this autocratic, non-elected regime is, in pretending to welcome the ILO but then slamming the door in its face upon arrival," she said in a statement.

ILO Director-General Juan Somavia has also condemned Fiji's decision.

"I call on the government to reconsider its position and continue collaborating with the ILO on these important matters for the international community," he said.

The Australian government has been softening its stance against Fiji in recent months.

The government restored diplomatic ties with Bainimarama's regime in July, following fresh assurances he would hold democratic elections in 2014.

Relations with the Pacific Island nation have been strained since Commodore Bainimarama overthrew a democratically elected government in a 2006 coup.