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Fiji garment industry losing millions
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Posted on Mar 27 2001
SUVA, Fiji (PINA Nius) — Fiji’s garment industry says it has lost about F$10 million (US$4.308 million) a month since the political crisis last year.
The figure represents one-third of total exports.
If the trend continues for another two months, it would mean a loss of about F$120 million (US$ 51.696) for the first five months of the year.
The Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Council of Fiji believes that more than 5,000 garment workers lost their jobs since the May coup.
Council President Ranjit Solanki singled out trade bans as the biggest contributor to the downturn.
He told trade unionists to “shut up” and to leave the commercial sector alone in these difficult times.
“The threats by these people are uncalled for,” he said. “Overseas buyers are very nervous because of negative publicity by trade unions.”
He said trade unions, especially the Fiji Trade Union Congress, have resumed from where coup leader George Speight left off last year.
“They should realize this is the time to sit down and reconcile. We want stability in Fiji. If businesses do well, there will be jobs,” Mr. Solanki said.
He said garment factories that closed recently were all owned by overseas companies. He said unskilled workers were the first to be laid off.
Other factors contributing to the mass lay-offs include Australia’s economic recession and the effects of the Sydney Olympics.
Statistics from the Ministry of Labor reveal that more than 1,000 of the 6,452 workers who lost their jobs as of December 7 were from the garment industry.
