Employees of Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) are poised to initiate a strike on February 25, 2026, unless meaningful negotiations occur between the company’s management and the Construction, Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji regarding ongoing employment disputes. This announcement follows a Notice of Strike issued on January 9 and is the result of a secret ballot conducted among the EFL workforce in 2025.
National Secretary of the union, J A Paul, expressed regret over the decision to strike, recognizing EFL’s essential service role in providing electricity across the nation, where any industrial action could severely impact supply. The union currently represents approximately 500 employees, with a growing membership signalizing their collective concerns.
The upcoming strike notice arises after EFL’s refusal to discuss a proposed 10 percent wage increase for the years 2024 and 2025. Additionally, there have been issues regarding unpaid shift allowances and live-line allowances for crane operators, with management showing reluctance to adjust pay rates for live-line workers. Paul refers to these wage requests as “catch-up claims,” asserting they are crucial due to over a decade of declining working conditions since EFL was deemed an essential industry in 2011, negatively affecting collective bargaining opportunities.
Since the essential services declaration, no collective agreement has been reached between 2011 and 2022, resulting in stagnant wages, reduced benefits, and an exodus of skilled workers to other opportunities. The union has also highlighted wage disparities, with nine senior EFL executives collectively earning $3.3 million in 2024, reflecting a 14 percent increase, while the average employee saw no raises.
In a troubling turn of events, EFL has taken legal action against the union for alleged defamation related to communications made to its members—a move Paul describes as unprecedented and intended to intimidate workers. The union is now calling upon the Prime Minister and the Government to intervene and help facilitate negotiations between them and EFL management.
Although the union stands ready for dialogue, Paul emphasized that they are committed to fighting for workers’ rights. He warns that unresolved issues could lead to significant disruptions, stressing the need for fair labor practices in vital sectors. This situation showcases the importance of teamwork and negotiation in addressing labor disputes, offering a hopeful perspective that a resolution can be reached that benefits both employees and management.