[PEN-L:5449] (Fwd) 2050 AVIATION: ITF warns travellers over Fiji 'risk'

[Bill Rosenberg <w.rosenberg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date:          Fri, 16 Apr 1999 17:22:06 +1200
From:          Journ12 <robie_d@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject:       2050 AVIATION: ITF warns travellers over Fiji 'risk'
To:            Pasifik Nius <nius@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Organization:  Journalism, University of the South Pacific

Title -- 2050 AVIATION: ITF warns travellers over Fiji 'risk'
Date -- 16 April 1999
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pasifik Nius
Source -- Daily Post (Fiji), 16/4/99
Copyright -- Daily Post/Unsourced agencies
Status -- Unabridged
-------------------
TRAVELLERS FOR FIJI HOLIDAY WARNED

SUVA: Fiji could face the wrath of international union solidarity if
the deadlock over the airport saga is not resolved quickly, the Daily
Post reports.

Yesterday, the powerful International Transport Workers Federation
(ITF), representing over 5 million transport workers in 127 countries,
warned airline passengers and crews of the potential risks of flying
in or out of Fiji.

The warning came following Airport Fiji Limited's take-over at
midnight last Sunday of all operations at Fiji's airports.

The take-over is part of government's public sector reform policy
which has now resulted in 500 union members being locked out. The
Civil Aviation workforce in this tropical paradise has been slashed
from 800 to 300.

The ITF-affiliated Fiji Public Servants Association (FPSA) had
reported that personnel holding suspended, lapsed, or unrecognised
qualifications are now working `live' in air navigation of incoming
and departing aircraft.

This includes a trainee who has yet to hold any qualifications.

Eighty trained aviation emergency fire-fighters have been replaced by
15 people recruited from New Zealand who the FPSA claim have no
experience with their French designed equipment.

"This is not just an industrial issue. Privatisation and profit have
put the public at risk and ousted hundreds from their jobs," said ITF
Asia-Pacific Regional Assistant Simon Des Baux from Tokyo.

"We have alerted our aviation affiliates that fly to Fiji of our
concerns regarding their safety.

ITF affiliates have contacted the authorities calling for a return to
safe practices."

"Fly to paradise at your own risk," Des Baux concluded.

+++niuswire

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