Solomons fear loss of logging jobs
Updated
The Solomon Forest Association says thousands of logging workers will lose their jobs if the labour department accepts applications for staff redundancies, from around 16 companies.
Secretary of the Association Kaipua Tohibangu says the logging companies have given notice to the commissioner of labour to lay off nearly three- and-a- half thousand workers - a direct response to steep rises in operational costs.
Mr Tohibangu says 32 logging companies are also protesting against the increase in the rate used to calculate logging export duties.
He's denied that companies are planning to stock pile logs to try to pressure the Solomons government over the new rates
Mr Tohibangu says the loggers are unhappy that the government did not consult them before going ahead with an increase in the rate that determines the logging price.
