Solomon Islands prime minister has warned workers' unions and associations in the country to abide by the law or face suspension.
Nurses in Solomon Islands stage a sit-in protest in the carpark of the National Referral Hospital in Honiara. 30 October 2020 Photo: Sunday Isles/Alex Junior Dadamu
Manasseh Sogavare issued the warning earlier this week after suspending the country's nurses association (SINA) for staging an illegal protest on Friday last week.
"Solomon Islands is a democratic country that upholds the rule of law. We have laws in place, laws to regulate how we behave in certain situations, such as trade disputes...It is important that we follow the regulations, especially when there is a State of Public Emergency," Manasseh Sogavare said.
The nurses are unhappy with the government for not paying allowances they claim they are owed for their part in the country's Covid-19 emergency response.
After failing to get a reply to a formal request to stage the protest nurses went ahead with the strike action against the advice of association executives.
Mr Sogavare said the decision to suspend the nurses' association was based on the fact that their actions put lives at risk.
The Prime Minister has assured all trade unions, the government respects them and is willing to work with them.
However, he said when a trade union breaks our laws and drives its members to take illegal actions, that trade union has become an instrument of division instead of unity.
"This is a time when we must work together. This is the time when your country is asking you for your help, commitment, sacrifice and courage," he said.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the government is continuing dialogue with the nurses and has welcomed the decision by nurses to resume work this week.