FIJI WARNED ABOUT FURTHER LABOR ACTIONS

SUVA, Fiji (April 29, 1998 - Radio Australia)---The Reserve Bank of Fiji has warned that further labor unrest will have a damaging effect on the country’s economy.

While it is difficult to measure the full effect on the economy of last week’s nationwide strike --over government efforts to limit 1998 wage raises to three percent-- damage probably was minimal, bank officials say, because most essential services were not seriously affected.

However, another strike, they warn, could create a drop in production of goods and services, with a corresponding fall in revenue from commodities.

The Fiji Trades Union Congress already has threatened another strike for May 21.