According to ITF member the Workers' Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI), SIPA chief executive Colin Yow had objected to its application for union recognition, forcing WUSI to report the matter to the Trade Disputes Panel (TDP). Despite the TDP section 10 stipulation that following such a referral, neither side will take any action against the other, Mr Yow then dismissed 18 workers, including the entire WUSI in-house committee.
WUSI successfully applied to the High Court for an order for the reinstatement of the sacked workers and prohibiting any further dismissals while the matter went into arbitration before the TDP. The union told the ITF that Colin Yow had not abided by this, therefore forcing it to apply for a contempt of court judgement.
In his letter to prime minister Manasseh Sogavare on 2 May, ITF general secretary Steve Cotton said: “All this is in addition to worrying reports of expenditure and involvement in other business areas by Collin Yow, as well as by 10 of his colleagues whom we understand have, as WUSI urgently suggested, now been banned from re-entering the Solomon Islands.
“These [matters are] potentially greatly damaging to the image and concerns of the Solomon Islands… I therefore urge you to intervene without delay to immediately secure the reinstatement of the sacked workers, including the in-house committee members, and a cessation of any such attacks on jobs, workers and the union. We would also strongly suggest that you investigate the concerning behaviour of management at SIPA.
“We are at your disposal to assist with these aims and the immediate establishment of free association and union recognition, as well as a just workplace at SIPA.”
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