The Indigenous Tuna Boat Association of Fiji is calling on interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to intervene in the debate over fuel concession.
Association president Amini Naivalulevu said as a result of the uncertainty over the concession, 144 workers are on the verge of losing their jobs.
â€We are calling on the interim Prime Minister to intervene in our situation because this is bread and butter for our members,†Mr. Naivalulevu said.
â€The government should be fair in their dealings and give us fuel concessions too because we can not cater for these present fuel prices.â€
He said things have gone from bad to worse with reduction in hours and loss of jobs.
â€With the operation of these local boats ground people are also employed at the Fiji Fish factory. Now with no work everyone is affected. This is the busiest time of the year where children have to go back to school and most of these workers are parents. They need money for their children's school books and school fees.â€
Mr. Naivalulevu said about 20 crews received their last pay last Friday after their vessel called in at the Fiji Fish jetty in Lami. He said everybody from captain to crew had put their tools down and are just waiting for worse to come.
There are 20 fishing vessels with 12 crew on board. Their income ranges from $130 a week and some bonuses depending on the vessel’s catch.
This money, Mr. Naivalulevu said, is collected by their wives while the crew are out on the sea.
Permanent Secretary in the interim Prime Minister's office Parmesh Chand said the PM’s Office had nothing to do with the situation and the association should contact the minister concerned.
Mr. Naivalulevu said the association was looking forward to meeting Commodore Bainimarama about their situation at any time convenient to him.
Meanwhile, Fiji Fish business director Russell Dunham said he was not aware of such association existing.
â€To my knowledge I have not heard of this association. I am only aware of two associations the Tuna Boat Owners Association and the Offshore Fishery Association,†Mr. Dunham said.
He said there were about 40 to 50 tuna long liners licensed to fish in the
Mr. Dunham said the situation was not new as they had been asking previous governments to address the disparity.
â€All that we are asking is why can't we the local vessels get duty free fuel like the 150-plus vessels unloading fish in Fiji, as we directly compete with these vessels,†Mr. Dunham said.
â€We sell our fish in the same overseas markets. What we wish is to operate on a level playing field that is the same as the foreign vessels operating in our region. It’s bizarre that the domestic industry is forced to operate in the international market with higher operating costs.â€
Fiji Fish staff unload fish at the company’s jetty Monday.
