The Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI) met with the Malaita Provincial Government in Auki on Wednesday to discuss long-standing salary issues.

During the meeting, WUSI representatives, Malaita Province Deputy Premier Randol Sifoni, and Provincial Secretary Erick George reached an agreement for the provincial government to begin addressing the outstanding concerns of its workers.

WUSI had issued a strike notice to the Malaita Provincial Government due to unpaid arrears, including a 3.5% unified salary increase and a 9% pay raise that had not been paid to its members since 2017. However, on March 24, WUSI suspended its 28-day strike notice against the Malaita Provincial Government, pending approval from the province’s direct employees.

This decision followed a formal letter from Malaita Provincial Secretary Ongoa on March 18, requesting the withdrawal of the strike notice.

Employees of the province have expressed their appreciation for the government’s commitment to resolving the issue.

Francis Samo, a Malaita Provincial Government employee, expressed relief, stating that everything is now settled and that it is up to the government to begin processing the payment of the agreed salary increases.

“Finally, the mission has been successfully completed between the Malaita Provincial Government and the Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI) regarding the long-standing issues of Malaita Provincial Government direct employees and Kilufi Hospital direct employees,” Mr. Samo said.

By SOLOMON LOFANA

Solomon Star, Auki