The fighting spirit of Fijian women workers

Under a more “labour friendly” government garment workers in Fiji are gaining union strength, says Jotika Gounder-Sharma. It was only a few years ago in 2019 – under a different government – that she had a gun pointed at her by the military. Jotika, the Executive Officer of the Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC), had refused to close the doors of their offices to hundreds of striking workers, telling the soldiers that “the National Headquarters doors never close”.

Jotika was speaking at a recent UnionAID May Day event. She told us about women who, despite having little education, have become leaders with a “fighting spirit” through union training and shop floor experience. These women are taking lead roles under the current UnionAID funded project building membership in two garment factories.