The International Federation of Pilots, representing more than 100,000 pilots worldwide has written to the Fiji regime in support of the accused Air Pacific pilot, Shalend Scott. In repsonse to information and lobbying from Coupfourpointfive, IFALPA hierarchy has sent the following letter to Frank Bainimarama, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, Epeli Nailatikau and Filipe Bole. The support of the Global Voice of Pilots is indeed welcome.
'For a nation that depends on tourism, it is counter-productive to arrest and charge a pilot who transports these tourists for his union activity. If Mr Scott’s rights or due process is abused in any way, it will be noted by other pilots who may choose to avoid operating into Fiji.'-IFALPA
14th October 2011
Commodore Josaia Voreque Bainimarama
Prime Minister
Republic of the Fiji Islands
Office of the PM PO Box 2353
Government Buildings
Suva
Fiji
Dear Commodore Josaia Voreque Bainimarama,
We are writing on behalf of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Association (“IFALPA”), which represents over 100,000 pilots in more than 100 countries worldwide, and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (“ITF”), a federation of 779 unions representing 4 ½ million workers in 155 countries.
We are deeply disturbed about the arrest and detention of Mr. Shalend Scott, the Secretary of the Fiji Airline Pilots Association. We understand that he was not informed of the charges against him at the time of his arrest on October 4, 2011, and he was given no opportunity for bail.
We now know that he was charged on October 7, 2011 with unauthorized access and removal of Air Pacific documents which disclosed the company’s pivotal role in the imposition of a harsh antitrade union law, the Essential National (Employment) Industries Decree. It is apparent that this arrest was designed to intimidate unions and their officers from exercising their basic human and workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain for wages and working conditions. We note that this is not the only recent arrest of trade union officials in an effort to repress workers’ rights.
We appreciate that Mr. Scott has been released on bail on October 12, 2011. Both IFALPA and ITF will continue to monitor Mr. Scott’s case to insure his basic human rights are observed and he receives full due process.
For a nation that depends on tourism, it is counter-productive to arrest and charge a pilot who transports these tourists for his union activity. If Mr. Scott’s rights or due process is abused in any way, it will be noted by other pilots who may choose to avoid operating into Fiji.
We expect that Mr. Scott will be accorded full due process in resolving the charges against him.
On behalf of the world’s pilots,
Captain Don Wykoff
President, IFALPA
On behalf of the world’s transport workers,
Paddy Crumlin
President, ITF
cc: President of the Republic of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Hon Filipe Bole, Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment
22 comments:
dont transport some people at all,so they cant travel
poison baini in China , best solution
Just train pilots who won't join the union and keep the planes flying, such a lame attempt at crippling Bainimarama's regime plus if planes don't hack it, ships could, better try another option.
wow, very interesting to involve the world's pilot...
I know that Voreqe will not give a dam shit.
But watch out Bai!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.
Go for it IFALPA.
Throw him off the plane.
Knock yourself out IFALPA. Baini and his illegal government need dealing to. No prisoners.
STOP FLYING AIR PACIFC AS Qantas is also behind his whole episod. Virgin is the alternative! That will teach the Regime a hard lesson-because so far they don't give a damn-so why should we!
Always considered many but not all international pilots as a little bit up themselves in more ways than one - reaction of their association confirms the majority view still prevails. Military regime with past form in deaths in custody orders one of their fee paying members be taken into custody and they retaliate with letters? IFP exec - get over yourselves - this could be any one of you - anywhere - anytime?
IFALPA has the numbers and to act: trick now is to get them to do it
Up yours Frank and Aiyaz !
C4.5 keep the pressure on IFALPA and others to do the rigt thing
We need the support of the Pilots and all in the aviation industry to support this case. That way we can topple the Illegal Regime that sells FIJI for peanuts whilst they receive kick-backs from overseas investors that are riding on this wave. Tsunami is coming near, get ready before you're history!!
I hope that Quantas will be shafted too for its association with Fiji's anti-union legislation
Perhaps there is an accessorial liability claim against Qantas/Air Pacific in Australia?
Just something to think about. Imagine the claim for the vicarious liability!
Qantas should be more than a little concerned with this - my bet is that this has got more than a few of their in-house counsel very concerned.
Ha!ha!ha!..Very funny indeed.
Thanks to the International Federation of Airline Pilots Association for their support of Captain Shalen Scott against this illegal regime becos of the trumped up charges brought against Scott. Can I also suggest to this group IFALPA to lend support to the Unions in Fiji and get the regime to abolish the decree against the Unions and all the workers in the country. The workers have no more rights today and the country is doing slavery to all our workers as they do not have a voice. We need all the international unions and organisations solidarity support NOW more than ever before its too late. Kenneth Zinck
Pilots all over the world have issues and some of them more critical than Shalend's. In the scheof methings the letter is a significant gesture and should be welcomed as such.
Anon 3:07.
Get over yourself - and enlighten if you can? What "what more critical issues" are there than being taken into custody by a regime that kills people?
Sure Shalend Scott would be greatly conforted by the fact that his fellow pilots sent his kidnappers a protest letter.
@ IFALPA & ITF
Voreqe is currently in China and is coming back soon by plane.
Please stage a bogus hijack and throw him off the plane.
Informed the pilot of the plane returning Bai to Fiji from China and get him to pull and emergency bailout in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Give Bai a parachute with holes and pushed the bugger off the plane.Oh by the way, he doesn't need the last rites he's no christian-as he's been trying to destroy Christianity in the country.
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