Strike threat wins concessions in Tonga

The Tonga Bus Association has cancelled a planned strike tomorrow after the government agreed to cut huge hikes in fees brought in at the beginning of the year.
All buses across the archipelago in the South Pacific were to stop work tomorrow – in protest at the increases in the annual licence fee from just over 46 US dollars to 216 dollars.
The annual registration fee also increased dramatically, from 28 US dollars to 162 dollars.
The acting permanent Secretary for the Bus Association, Chris Fatai, says an agreement has now been reached between the association and the Government to reduce the fees.
“The two parties have agreed to lower the figure because the figure they gave us was too high.”
Chris Fatai says a final decision about the new bus fees may be announced on Thursday.
http://www.rnzi.com