MEMBERS of the Fiji Mine Workers Union who have been on strike for more than 21 years have urged the Constitution Commission to improve workers rights in the country.
The members who have been on strike in what could possibly be the longest stretch of continuous industrial action in the country made their submissions before the commission in Vatukoula yesterday.
FMWU leader Josefa Sadreu told the commission Fiji's new constitution should protect and promote labour rights as Fiji is a signatory to the International Labour Organisation Conventions.
"One of the most important aspects of any constitution in Fiji is that it should respect the rights Fiji has undertaken to protect under the ILO. This international law, namely the ILO Convention, should be protected by constitution," said Mr Sadreu.
He said the commission should include the 1997 constitutional protection for trade unions and fair labour practices.
"Protection of labour rights should be based on the Bill of Rights provisions of the 1997 Constitution." Commission member Penelope Moore said the submissions were reasonable from a group that had been on strike for more than 21 years.