Sugar Cane farmers unions in Fiji

There have been numerous sugar cane farmers' unions in Fiji. Some have been regionally based, like the Labasa Kisan Sangh, the Rewa Planters Union and the Southern Division Kisan Sangh. Other farmers unions were formed to provide leverage to sections of the community. In 1959, when the Federation of Cane Growers was negotiating the new cane contract with the CSR, three ethnic Fijian cane farmers unions were set up to send three Fijian delegates to the Federation although Fijians made up less than 5% of the cane farmers. The Fijian cane growers unions were racially and provincially based as indicated by their names; Nadroga Fijian Cane Growers Association, the Ra Fijian Cane Growers Association and Ba Fijian Cane Growers Association. Some unions claimed to be open for everyone but their membership indicated sectional interest. For example, the Maha Sangh had a predominantly South Indian membership, the Vishal Sangh had a predominantly Sikh membership and the Kisan Sangh had a predominantly North Indian membership.

Umbrella organisations were formed to present a united front in negotiating with the CSR and later the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC). In 1959, the Federation of Cane Growers was formed and in 1980 the Joint Committee of Cane Growers Associations was formed.

Farmers have not always needed unions to voice their concerns. The 1921 strike by sugar cane farmers was a spontaneous action led by Vashist Muni.

Dates various sugar cane growers unions were established in Fiji:

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