Attar to raise workers’ rights

NATIONAL Federation Party provisional candidate, Attar Singh says he will use the 2018 General Election as a platform to raise awareness on workers’ rights in Fiji.

The former trade unionist was announced as a provisional candidate by party leader Professor Biman Prasad in Suva yesterday.

Prof Prasad described Mr Singh as “a new wine in an old bottle” — referring to Mr Singh’s vast experience as a workers’ rights advocate.

Mr Singh claimed his entry into politics marked a new beginning of another journey to help him end the alleged oppression of workers and trade union movements in Fiji.

“I have spent the better part of my life as a trade unionist fighting for workers’ rights.

Ordinary workers are finding it difficult to put food on the table,” he claimed.

Public sector unions, Mr Singh claimed, were being denied access to dispute settling machinery and ability of trade unions to take strike action or protest was almost non-existent under current laws.

Prof Prasad claimed there was no other unionist contesting this election with his experience.

“The workers of Fiji and the trade union movement can rely on him to protect and advance their rights and freedom in Parliament, more so in government.

“He had decided to sacrifice his career and accept the daunting task of correcting the imbalances and eliminating discriminatory practices,” he said.

Over the past 35 years, Mr Singh has represented workers in the aviation, telecommunications, mining industry, local government, energy sector, dock workers as well as championing the rights of canegrowers.

He was also a former leader of the party.