2000 jobs lost in nine-day-old Fiji coup

Update: 2.30PM A survey has shown that nearly 2000 workers in Fiji have either lost their jobs or are working reduced hours since last week's military coup.

The survey by the Fiji Employers Federation shows 180 full-time workers, 618 part-time workers and 97 casual employees have been laid off.

Another 1053 people have been forced to work reduced hours.

The Employers Federation has 518 members throughout Fiji who collectively employ 78,000 workers.

Its chief executive, Ken Roberts, says the lay-offs have taken place because of a shortage of work.

Employers fear that if Australia and New Zealand place trade sanctions on Fiji, there will be further heavy job losses.

The FEFs concerns come as Fiji's ailing sugar industry faces imminent collapse.

Industry insiders say an announcement by the European Union that it is considering cancelling its assistance to Fiji could spell the end for growers, labourers and the miller Fiji Sugar Corporation.

The sugar sector supports one in four people and made up the bulk of Fiji's $239m annual exports in 2005.

The EU provides Fiji with $80m a year through a combination of aid, low tariffs and guaranteed prices.

The military takeover has also affected Fiji's biggest foreign exchange earner tourism.

Tourism, which employs 50,000 people directly and indirectly and accounts for 49 per cent of Fiji's foreign exchange earnings, has plunged, with arrivals falling by up to 80 per cent in recent weeks.

Fiji Visitors Bureau boss Viliame Gavola says the Pacific Island nation is still expected to attract 550,000 visitors this year but this could fall by up to 30 per cent next year.

He was basing his prediction on the impact to the industry by Fiji's 2000 coup.

Bookings by national airline Air Pacific have dropped 40 per cent from normal levels.