The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) criticised the Australian government on Tuesday for renewing a textile, clothing and footwear scheme with the Fiji government. The scheme is part of a multilateral trade agreement, which ACTU President Ged Kearney insisted would not improve the lives of textile workers in Fiji who are paid low wages.

With the renewal of the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement (SPARTECA), Fiji would continue to enjoy access to Australian markets which is the largest for Fiji whose government allegedly continues to violate human rights, Ms Kearny said.

She said that SPARTECA places theoretical benefits of free trade above the daily intimidation, harassment and oppression of Fijians. Ms Kearney pointed out that laws in the island deny workers rights, keep salaries low and go against basic democratic freedoms.

"The agreement signed in the so-called interests of textile industry in Fiji merely subjects its workers to further entrenchment of human rights violations as such an agreement legitimises and protects the Bainimarana regime," Ms Kearney pointed out in a statement.

"This decision is in stark contrast to the stand the Australian government has taken on excluding Fiji from regional negotiations on a new trade agreement until there is a return to democracy and human rights in Fiji," she added.

ACTU and the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia challenged all businesses in Fiji to demonstrate to Australian consumers that they do not profit from the plight of oppressed textile Fijian workers.

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