Fiji, PNG trade

unions in action

Trade unionists in Fiji and Papua New Guinea were active on vari ous issues as 1982 drew to a close, and the New Year began.

Fiji trade unions in December rejected a call for a general wage freeze in 1983 by the prime minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

In a statement issued by the Fiji Trade Unions Congress they recalled that in his November budget speech Finance Minister Charles Walker had highlighted the decline in the country’s infla tion rate from more than 11 per cent in 1981 to seven per cent in 1982.

It said Mr Walker had also indicated that Fiji’s foreign re serves were much larger than they had been a year before. The statement said that these condi tions did not warrant a wage freeze, although an increase in productivity was needed to help the Fiji economy.

Earlier, Ratu Mara’s call for a 1983 wage freeze had been sup ported by the Fiji Employers’

Association.

In Papua New Guinea, a strike threat against the national airline

Air Niugini, was withdrawn in January: the National Airline Employees’ Association called off a planned slopwork meeting of its 1500 members. The meet ing had been called to discuss strike action over union claims.

The association deferred from January 10 to February 10 a threat that it would take strike action if the government failed to make “a satisfactory response” to its claims.

The association claimed that national employees who take over from expatriate personnel should be automatically entitled to the accommodation previously provided for the expatriates.

Air Niugini said this was a matter for the National Airlines Commission to decide. The mat ter was to be referred to the commission, which was expect ed to meet well before the dead line of February 10.

The National Airline Employ ees’ Association said other claims, involving pay, bonuses and paid maternity leave, are being held up to see what hap pens to the accommodation claim.

Mineral prospect

ban off in PNG

The lifting of a temporary ban on mineral prospecting in Papua New Guinea soon led to 15 new applications for licences. The ban was lifted at the end of November, although it remains in force in North Solomons Province.

The Minister for Minerals and Energy, Mr Pusal, said it will remain in force there until the provincial government asks for it to be lifted. The huge Bougain ville copper mine is in North Solomons, and people living near the site have frequently ob jected to the issuing of more mining licences.

BAe 146

on visit to

Vanuatu

The new British Aerospace BAe 146 high-wing feederliner under took demonstration flights total ling almost 100,000 kilometres to Asian and Pacific countries in 180 hours in the air late last year.

The aircraft, available in two models differing only in length of fuselage, allows passenger loads varying between 82 and 109 in six-abreast seating.

On its visit to Vanuatu in November, the aircraft was in spected by Head of State Ati George Sokomanu, Prime Minis ter Walter Lini, Home Affairs Minister Fred Timakata, Trans port Minister John Naupa, mem bers of the diplomatic corps, government officials, officials of local carrier Air Melanesiae, and invited guests.

Leaving next morning for Sol omon Islands, the aircraft carried the president and Mrs Sokomanu as guests of BAe officials.

The president and his wife returned to Port-Vila on a Solair flight the same day.

As well as visiting Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, the BAe 146 also called at a number of other Island countries, including Papua New Guinea. It also went to Australia and New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan and India on its world-girdling flight.

An October announcement by British Aerospace said the com pany already held firm orders for 12 BAe 1465, and other airlines had taken options on a further 14.

The BAe 146. Prime Minister Lini is facing camera at left, with President Sokomanu next to him. Below is the “quiet jet liner’’ symbol which British Aerospace has been featuring.