Goldmine Dispute

Arbitration Move

Settles Fiji’S

SEEKING to settle a wages dispute between the Emoeror Gold Mining Co. Ltd. and the Fijian Mineworkers’ Union, the Acting Governor of Fiji (Mr. A F. R. Stoddart) appointed Mr.

D. M. N. McFarlane, a well-known solicitor and former Mayor of Suva, as member of a Court of Arbitration constituted under the Industrial Disputes Ordinance.

On June 25, however, it was re ported that about 1,250 employees of the Associated Companies had gone on strike.

The union claimed that the existing wages were inadequate having regard to the nature of the work, the risks involved and the needs of the workers and their families. It sought a general wage increase of 3/- a day or shift.

The company claimed that mini mum rates, inclusive of cost of rations and quarters were con siderably higher than corresponding rates in other industries in Fiji.

It further claimed that valuable amenities and concessions were given, that the risks were not such as to justify higher wages, and that the productivity of workers was low.

In addition, the company stated that the reduced quantity of gold recovered, and the virtual exhaustion of cheap open-cuts did not permit a general wage increase.

The arbitrator found that the claim for a general wage increase of 3/- a day could not be sub stantiated; that the 2/3 cost of liv ing allowance should be merged in the basic wage, and that the basic minimum wage was not sufficient.

The new award, accepted by the workers on July 6, fixes the basic minimum wage for surface workers at 7/- a day and for underground workers at 8/3 a day, the arbi trator stating that the under ground worker was entitled to an increase of 3d in the marginal daily rate. To each of the basic rates must be added rations as already supplied by the company, and housing where provided.

The men returned to work on July 7.