Ema Druavesi

Ema Druavesi is a former Fijian trade unionist and politician.

Druavesi was born in Suva and educated at the Fiji Institute of Technology.[1] She worked as a laboratory assistant at the University of the South Pacific and in 1982 became president of USP's staff union.[1] She stood unsuccessfully as a coalition candidate in the Fijian electorate of Kadavu–Tamavua–Suva Suburban in the 1987 Fijian general election.[1] In 1989 she formed the Fiji Garment Workers Union,[2] and campaigned against low wages and sweatshop labour in Fiji's garment industry.[3][4]

She later became general secretary and spokesperson for the nationalist Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei party.[5] Following the 2006 Fijian coup d'état she pledged her support to the FijiFirst party.[6]

References

1. Michael C. Howard (1991). Fiji: Race and Politics in an Island State. Vancouver: UBC Press. p. 391-392.
2. R. T. Robertson (1995). "Pathway to Modernization: Fiji's Garment Revolution". In Brij V. Lal; Hank Nelson (eds.). Lines Across The Sea (PDF). Brisbane: Pacific History Association. p. 147. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
3. "Controversy over Fiji sweat shops". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 60, no. 6. 1 June 1990. p. 22. Retrieved 10 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "Fijians workers paid only 9 cents per hour". Tribune. 2 May 1990. p. 4. Retrieved 10 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
5. "Fiji parties query government about Moon entry ban". RNZ. 11 December 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
6. "Former politicians show support to FijiFirst Party". FBC News. 5 July 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2023.