Following the lapse of the extended 14 days strike notice employees of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) are staging a sit-in protest on Thursday 9th April.
The original strike notice was dated February 25, which was then extended by another 14 days on Tuesday, March 24.
The workers have agreed to allow more time for negotiations by signing a Recognition Agreement with SIPA on 17 March 2026.
At that time the 14-day extension was also influenced by the current political uncertainty in the country.
The 14-day notice lapsed on Wednesday 8 April 2026 after negotiations between the Ports Authority and the Workers Union (WUSI) broke down this week.
A general meeting among Ports workers and WUSI on Wednesday reached the decision to go on strike.
Most of the workers turned up at the SIPA compound on Thursday morning but have withdrawn their services.
The grievances raised by employees include:
- Deliberate delays in negotiating terms and conditions of service
- Preferential awarding of benefits, including education funds, advances, school fees, bonuses, and acting allowances
- Salary structure not reviewed since 2018
- Preferential appraisal practices
- Unfair disciplinary measures
- Allegations of sexual harassment
- Nepotism in recruitment processes
- Outstanding COVID-19 allowance
SIPA employs about 600 workers and operates the main ports in Honiara and Noro, Western Province.
By Assumpta Buchanan
Solomon Star, Honiara
