The Fiji Trades Union Congress says they have applied for a permit to march in Nadi next Saturday.

According to FTUC they are planning to hold a nationwide protest next Friday and a protest march in Nadi next Saturday.

General Secretary Felix Anthony told FBC News the nationwide protest next Friday will not be held at a public place.

“This was applied last Wednesday. We don’t need a permit for nationwide protest. We not going to go out in public space so we don’t need a permit for that. For the march yes we have made an application for 4th of May and we waiting for the approval.”

However police says they are yet to receive a permit application from the union.

According to the Public Order Act any person who wishes to organize or convene a meeting or procession on or in a public park or public road shall first make an application for a permit to the appropriate in writing at least 7 days prior to the date on which the applicant proposes to organize or convene a meeting or procession.

FTUC National Secretary Felix Anthony says they will be going ahead with their nationwide protest next Friday as planned.

Anthony says there are some unions that may need to go on protest earlier than May 3rd as they have received information of massive layoffs.

He says they want to raise their disappointment in relation to six issues which include national minimum wage, delay in labour law reforms, right to strike, Vatukoula strike, unresolved FASA issues and opposing unilateral imposition of individual contracts.

FBC News also questioned Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Praveen Kumar on the planned protest, he declined to make any comments.

Stay with us for more on this developing story.