Ema Druavesi is a former Fijian trade unionist and politician.

Druavesi was born in Suva and educated at the Fiji Institute of Technology.[1] She worked as a laboratory assistant at the University of the South Pacific and in 1982 became president of USP's staff union.[1] She stood unsuccessfully as a coalition candidate in the Fijian electorate of Kadavu–Tamavua–Suva Suburban in the 1987 Fijian general election.[1] In 1989 she formed the Fiji Garment Workers Union,[2] and campaigned against low wages and sweatshop labour in Fiji's garment industry.[3][4]

She later became general secretary and spokesperson for the nationalist Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei party.[5] Following the 2006 Fijian coup d'état she pledged her support to the FijiFirst party.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Michael C. Howard (1991). Fiji: Race and Politics in an Island State. Vancouver: UBC Press. p. 391-392.
  2. ^ R. T. Robertson (1995). "Pathway to Modernization: Fiji's Garment Revolution". In Brij V. Lal; Hank Nelson (eds.). Lines Across The Sea (PDF). Brisbane: Pacific History Association. p. 147. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Controversy over Fiji sweat shops". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 60, no. 6. 1 June 1990. p. 22. Retrieved 10 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Fijians workers paid only 9 cents per hour". Tribune. 2 May 1990. p. 4. Retrieved 10 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Fiji parties query government about Moon entry ban". RNZ. 11 December 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Former politicians show support to FijiFirst Party". FBC News. 5 July 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2023.