NSW:Fiji throws out Oz, NZ union deleagtes

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2011
NSW:Fiji throws out Oz, NZ union deleagtes

An attempt by Australian and New Zealand unionists to investigate allegations of human
and labour rights breaches by Fiji's BAINIMARAMA government has ended with the delegation
being thrown out of the island state before they could get in.

Australian Council of Trade Unions president GED KEARNEY, who was among the four delegates,
says when the group arrived at the Nadi International Airport yesterday, they were told
to go back home.

She's told media waiting at Sydney Airport their passports and phones were confiscated
and they were held in the customs area and forced to get back on a plane.

Foreign Minister KEVIN RUDD says he finds it concerning that consular access was denied
the group and says Fiji's interim government has in recent months targeted trade union
leaders and restricting the rights of workers.

AAP RTV lxs/mjs/wz/psm/

KEYWORD: FIJI UNION (SYDNEY)

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.