Australian sugar workers temporarily suspend strikes

According to a union representative, workers at Australia’s largest sugar producer will temporarily pause their industrial action. The company has threatened to exclude those involved in the strike from its factories and stop paying them, Reuters reported.

Wilmar Sugar and Renewables is currently involved in a wage dispute with its employees, which has resulted in several strikes in recent weeks and a delay in the start of sugar production.

The suspension of industrial action allows union members to continue working until the company’s proposed pay offer is voted on next week. Unions argue the offer is inadequate and likely to be rejected, potentially leading to a resumption of strike action.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the company said: “Today, Wilmar Sugar and Renewables informed over 1,200 employees that anyone participating in industrial action beginning tomorrow morning (Wednesday, June 5) will face a lockout until further notice.”

During the lockout, affected employees will be prohibited from entering Wilmar’s facilities and will not receive pay until the lockout is lifted.

Wilmar Sugar and Renewables operates eight factories on Australia’s north-east coast, which together account for more than half of the country’s sugar production during the June to November cane season. The company is a subsidiary of Singapore-based Wilmar International Ltd.