FDN Blog Tale, FT Blog Misrepresents Choices, Minimum Wages, Aussie Travel Ban

See new QUOTE FOR THE WEEK in the right sidebar, and scroll down to the WEEKEND READINGS.

Readers' experiences and opinions on my special Sunday posting N0160  "Too Timid to Speak Out"

are especially welcome.

ANNOUNCEMENT DAYLIGHT SAVING. The Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Mr. Filipe Bole confirmed that Fiji will end daylight saving at 3 am on Sunday 6th March 2011, after it started on Sunday 24th October 2010.   This decision by the Cabinet means that the nation will have to switch time back from 3am (03:00) to 2am (02:00) normal time in the first Sunday next March, 2011.

N0161. FDN CAUGHT BY  ITS OWN TALE. The anti-government blog FijiDemocracyNow wrote: "Croz caught out again." They were referring to my correction of a RadioNZ report about Prof Brij Lal.   It was RadioNZ that was caught out.  I relied on them for my report, and corrected their error immediately after Brij assured me by email that he had not said what RadioNZ said he had said.

I can't recall any anti-government blog ever correcting an error.

I acknowledge sources; distinguish between news and opinion; try to check out possibly doubtful stories before publication; correct errors when they are know to me; welcome reasoned comments on my postings, irrespective of their viewpoint, and I endeavour to keep close to the standards one should expect in the mainstream media.  This speaks volumes for the differences between us.

N0162. CHARTER BASIS FOR FUTURE.  Strategic Framework for Change director Joeli Besetimoala says the People's Charter is here to stay and political parties or groups will have to base their manifesto around it in preparation for the 2014 elections and "any elected government will have to align their manifesto to the People’s Charter and continue with the current government’s development corporate plan.

The anti-government blog FijiToday  this means the people will have "No Freedom of Choice in future political manifestos. The Peoples Charter is the new law in Fiji."  Their report is based on this release by Radio Fiji.

This is a misrepresentation. The Charter spells out broad principles that few would deny. They are principles the citizens of any democratic state would proudly adopt, and at least one-half of the adult population of Fiji has already agreed to them.  But for principles to become practice, they have to be operationalised.  This will be done through a series of dialogues that will commence late this year on constitutional reforms and later on electoral reform. The Charter is not the new law as FijiToday states, and its implementation will provide many choices. It is for this reason that the dialogue must be as representative and as inclusive as possible . FijiToday would be better advised to focus on this part of the process.

P.S.  See comments for FijiToday response.  I still do not see how they can claim the Charter is anything more than a founding guideline.

N0163. EMPLOYERS UP WAGES A LITTLE. Garment factory owners have upped their previous offer of a minimum wage increase of 7% to 10% but this is still only  one-half of the Wages Council recommendation and far less than the Basic Needs Poverty Line (see my earlier extensive post). The extra 3% increase represents an extra $1.50-$1.80 a week, and 10% an extra $6.00-$7.30, or 13-16 cents an hour.  The Wages Council was asking for an extra $11.25 - $14.40 or 25-32 cents an hour.

Labour Minister, Filipe Bole, welcomed the employers' new offer, saying the garment factory owners had improved their 'ability to pay' position, and shown a sense of "corporate social responsibility to both the workers and the nation as a whole towards our collective efforts to alleviate poverty."

He said while the Government will continue to provide an enabling policy environment and incentives to boost investment, productivity and profitability of companies, it also has the social responsibility to alleviate poverty amongst the marginalized sectors of our society.

He has appealed to all employers to be fair and just in distributing their profits and productivity gains not only to their shareholders, but especially to the workers, who are the most important assets in their organizations.

N0164. AUSSIE TRAVEL BAN: Comment from a Reader.  "I was told that a coup sympathizer's Australian visa was rejected. I don't want to face the same restriction. I am not in the military and at first opposed the coup. However, when I actually see the developments and hear people voice their appreciation and, not wanting elections based on what has previously transpired, I have to agree that not all democracy through the ballot box has merits. This government have not aligned themselves with the powerful and rich but turned to help the poor and marginalized but not forgetting big business who provide tax for government coffers."

Gujarati: Wealth and Poverty

Thoughts from a Reader

During the days of girmit, Gujarati from northwest India came to Fiji as free settlers as  they were British subjects. They came as small traders and craftsmen dealing in jewellery, clothing, shoes and laundry work and many, to set themselves up, borrowed from kin in Gujerat and other Gujerati already in Fiji. Imported articles from India, costing a rupee were sold for a dollar in Fiji, making twenty-fold profits. Within two generations, some once “poor” Gujarati became multi-millionaires. Most other Indo-Fijians arrived in Fiji as indentured or contract labourers (girmiti) and while some of their descendants have done well, many are among the ranks of the poorest people in Fiji.

Your Help Please, Labour Mediation and Social Justice, Land Bank Progress

N0134. AN APPEAL TO READERS. My youngest daughter (who had most of her primary and secondary school education in Fiji) has been pestered by friends and colleagues to explain what is happening in Fiji.  She has suggested the blog would be improved with tabs to FAQ and a timeline.  I would be most grateful if readers would share this work with me by suggesting Frequently Asked Questions (and answers) and parts of a timeline from, say, 1999.

I would also be grateful if readers would suggest topics for publication, especially if they provided all or some of the material.  Without this input, all topics chosen are mine and I have no way of knowing whether my selection is the most appropriate. 

N0135. LABOUR MEDIATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. The Ministry of Labour’s mediation service performed strongly throughout 2010, resolving 79% of all employment grievances referred to it by individual workers, most of whom are not members of any trade union and recovered $411,979 for the workers. Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Filipe Bole (photo)  said the service had proven to be an effective social justice institution.  It also stabilises the labour market, effectively resolves potential strikes, heals impaired employment relationships and promotes peace, boost productivity including the wellbeing of workers.

The Minister  said that for the first time in Fiji’s history the vulnerable non-unionised workers (comprising 70% of the employment sector) were empowered under the new labour laws to access the Ministry’s mediation service, free of charge and seek redress for their grievances arising out of unfair dismissal, being disadvantaged, discrimination, sexual harassment and cases of duress.

This is by far the single most important social justice provision affecting the most vulnerable workers in our society, which is designed to restore their dignity in workplaces. 

In this regard, the mediation service promotes the principles of good faith, common citizenship, fairness, equity, justice and good governance which are the hallmarks of Government’s Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress. -- Based in 0386/MOL.

N0136. LAND BANK GAINS MOMENTUM. Cabinet has approved the Land Use Regulations 2011 which will see the establishment of a Land Use Unit within the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources. The unit will be responsible for creating a land bank,  issuing leases over all designated lands, and collect and distributing rentals. The Regulations will provide the legal framework for issuance of leases under the Land Use Decree 2010.

The key provisions of the regulations include consent of native land owning units prior to depositing their land in the Land Use Bank including those under reserves; election of trustees as legal representatives of the land owning units whose role will be limited to matters relating to leasing of lands, the collection and fair distribution of rentals and premiums.

The provisions also include designation of land to be included in the Land Use Bank; the formulation of the State lease and forms for usage by the Land Use Unit; distribution of rentals; leasing on the market value of designated land, and valuation of designated native land by the State, government agencies and statutory authority.

The purpose of the land bank is to bring more Native and State land into production by providing security of tenure to leasees and assured rents to itaukei owners.

WEEKEND READING 

♦ Allen Lockington Column                                                                                   

♦ Gujerati: Wealth and Poverty                       

♦ Britain to Deport Fijian War Hero by Christopher Booker, Sunday Telegraph.

Just Wages? 'Just' Flies Away

by Crosbie Walsh

Government sets up the Wages Councils, accepts its method of determining a just minimum wage based on the Poverty Line, accepts its recommendations for wage increases for some industries, announces when the increases will be paid, and then backtracks on everything because there's a global crisis, some employers say they can't afford to pay — and they need to remain competitive with Bangladesh!

Employers did not direct these concerns at the Wages Council and earlier some employers had refused to co-operate with the Council to determine what they could afford. They bypassed the Council and went directly to Government, and Government did not refer them back to the Wages Council. Instead, it heeded the employers' concerns and ignored the Wages Council.

Drugs, Fuel, Comparisons with NZ, Teachers, Wages

Check out the new Quote for the Week in the right sidebar and 

scroll down to Friday's postings and Weekend Reading.

NOO33. ESSENTIAL DRUG PRICES DOWN 30%. Prices of 74 basic essential pharmaceutical products that are under price control will be reduced by an average of 30% from next Friday but "lifestyle" drugs, on which pharmacists will be able to make high profits, will not be affected. Pharmacies will be required to display the basic drugs under price control.

In making this announcement Commerce Commission chairman Dr Mahendra Reddy said “Government has been concerned for some time with regard to the high and increasing prices of pharmaceutical products, in particular, essential drugs, and  their variability within a small geographical location.” he said.

Dr Reddy said there were several implications from these two issues: First, low income households could be deprived of accessing essential drugs; secondly, an unhealthy population creates additional costs to Government’s health system, and  thirdly that  lack of full information on drug prices implies those seeking drugs may end up buying drugs from pharmacies whose prices are much higher relative to those whose prices are low.

N0034. BUT FUEL PRICES ROCKET. Today the price per litre of motor spirit will increase by 16 cents to F$2.37, diesel by 12 cents to $2.07, Premix outboard fuel price by 20 cents to $2.33. and kerosene by 11 cents to $1.68. This will obviously impact heavily on the transport industry where govenment controls prices.

The Fiji Bus Operators Association said they are ready to absorb the increase as no further submissions will be made to the government to cushion the effects of the increase.

However, Fiji Taxi Union general secretary, Rishi Ram said he will write to the Transport Minister and LTA Board requesting them to consider the earlier submission for the survival of taxi industry.

Fiji has no control over the price it pays for imported fuel which has recently increased in price due the Northern hemisphere winter where fuel is also used for heating and power generation. This is a major reason why government is pushing micro-hydro and other local fuel saving projects.--  Based on 2011, No:0083/AG

N0035. NZ FUEL COSTS EVEN HIGHER. Fiji is now paying F$2.37 a litre for standard petrol, but New Zealand motorists are paying NZ$1.975 or  F$2.785,  41 cents a litre more than Fiji.  If only we'd had a coup, I could blame it on John Key.

N0036. NO JOY FOR NZ. Unlike Fiji's anti-govt bloggers who rejoyce at every economic setback for their homeland, I take no comfort from the fact that the NZ economy is barely growing and may have actually shrunk late last year. This fact is recorded to show that many of Fiji's economic problems have nothing to do with the 2006 Coup.

N0037. MORE TEACHERS RECRUITED. the Ministry of Education reports it will recruit 200 to 240 new teachers this year to replace the 167 who retired last year, those who have changed occupations, who are on in-service training and others who left for overseas. Deputy Secretary Josefa Sania said the "teachers will be replaced by graduates from Fiji's tertiary institutions ...  We have enough graduates from these institutions."

Fiji has approximately 5,000 primary and 3,000 secondary teachers. The overall pupil-teacher ratio has decreased slightly to about 20, but like most averages the ratio is misleading.  Rural school ratios are sometimes as low as 1:10 but in urban schools, most particularly in Suva and Lautoka, the ratio is between 1:45 and 1:50. -- Based partly on 2011, No:0056/MOI.

N0038. BARR KEEPING FINGERS CROSSED. Chairman of the Wages council, Fr Kevin Barr, is keeping his fingers crossed that the PM's Office would consider its recommendation and move forward the implementation date for the new Wages order which is expected to come into force from May this year. He said more detailed information is needed on the workforce to ensure appropriate levels of wages are paid for the various sectors.The lack of information on numbers employed in each sector and the work they perform is a challenge in setting out fair levels of wages and salary.

It is understood that government wants three economics professors to determine minimum wages but the Wages Council prefers a formula, used by many other countries, based on the cost of living. Employers prefer one based on inflation and productivity. The Wages Council would also prefer determination to be made by a group more representative of the social sciences.

UK, French, EU Trade, Minimum Wages, Workplace Discrimination, Development Multiplier Effect

N0019.  TRADE WITH EUROPE. Primary Industries Minister Joketani Cokanasiga met with British High Commissioner Mac McLachlan (right) and French Ambassador to Fiji Michael Montagnier yesterday to discuss bilateral trade opportunities.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss issues relating to bilateral trade opportunities between Fiji, United Kingdom, and France and with the European Union as a whole.

The issues discussed included capacity building and training opportunities within the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Fisheries and Forestry; technical expertise on  legislation' market excess, and government’s focus on export promotion, import substitution and poverty alleviation.”

Help was also sought on the EU ban on kava exports and the wish to extend the FairTrade Act to non-sugar agricultural commodities. -- Based on 2011, No:0039/MPI.

N0020. MINIMUM WAGES— AGAIN. Government backed down from implementing minimum wages last year due to employer pressure. The issue, however, is not dead and Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Filipe Bole, has confirmed that the ministry was actively engaged with the tripartite social partners at the Employment Relations Advisory Board to finalise new minimum wage formulae to be adopted by the Wages Councils.

After the three special sittings of the Wages Board last year the social partners unanimously agree to adopt the wage setting criteria in the ILO Convention No. 131, especially Article 3, as the basis to objectively review the minimum wages under the WRO. This included an appropriate national minimum wage formula compatible with the economic and social realities of Fiji. The Board also agreed to engage local professors of economics to recommend formulae for the sectoral minimum wages and national minimum wage to the Board before final formulae are recommended to the Minister for Labour for Cabinet’s consideration. The Minister reaffirmed Government’s commitment under the Peoples Charter to move  towards a national minimum Wage in phases to help alleviate poverty. 2011, No:0042/LABOUR.

Comment: The phases seem more likely to help employers, and not those in poverty. Once again we see the difficulty government has in juggling conflicting interests. Small employers especially are finding things difficult in the present economic climate but even when things were easier some employers paid the least possible wages. And if the conditions are difficult for employers, those living on wages below the poverty line will be finding it even more difficult.

N0021. DISCRIMINATION STILL IN WORKPLACES. Labour Minister Filipe Bole said the Employment Relations Promulgations of 2007 prohibit all forms of discrimination in the workplace. But despite this discrimination  and unlawful segregation work cultures between races and gender continue. The Regulations state entitlements to fair labour practices and equal opportunities in employment for all workers in accordance with the 1998 International Labour Organisation Declaration on the Fundamentals Principles and Rights at Work that Fiji has ratified.

Under these parts, no employer or person shall discriminate against any worker or prospective worker on the grounds of ethnicity, colour, gender, religion, political opinion, national extraction, sexual orientation, age, social origin, marital status, pregnancy, family responsibilities, state of health including real or perceived HIV status, trade union membership or activity, or disability in respect of recruitment, training, promotion, terms and conditions of employment, termination of employment or other matters arising out of the employment relationship.

The Minister said one of the biggest challenges his ministry faces is the promotion of non-discriminatory labour practices in private and public workplaces. All employers need to adopt and practice Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) values and behaviours that are also in line with the Peoples Charter and Government’s firm commitment to introduce equal citizenry and non-race-based electoral and political systems.-- Based on 2011, No:0042/MOI.

N0022. DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN DIVISION. Over 1,350 projects have been funded by the Northern Development Programme over the past three years. NDP manager Waisale Tuidama said the projects cost $7.5million,about $3.5m funded by NDP and $3.9m by other banks.  Sectors funded  include 553 projects in dalo and yaqona farming, 217 fishing projects, 127 sugarcane projects, 39 rice farming projects and 105 livestock projects. The multiplier effect is estimated to be about $35m.

The Manager said, "The NDP was focused towards establishing fishing projects during the first two years. Now we are trying to develop livestock, dairy, rice and other commercial farming projects to utilise the natural resources and become self-sufficient.We hope to introduce cluster farming whereby a farmer is involved in numerous farming projects. This will also make it easier for the farmer to market the products."

Charter Progress Yes But, Country in Deep Debt, Garment Exports, Wadan N's 'Disappearance,' Touché

PROGRESS ON CHARTER PILLARS BUT ... Earlier in the month representatives of ministries, departments and agencies reported to the National People's Charter Advisory Council (NPCAC) on their progress on implementing the eleven Charter pillars. Council chairman Josefa Serulagilagi said that the council had had six meetings, deliberating on tasks assigned to it in terms of monitoring progress on Charter provisions.

“We have made steady progress throughout the year and have been successful in ensuring that relevant pillars of the charter are well integrated into the work programme activities of Government and also to ensure there is greater level of ownership by ordinary members of the public in the implementation of the Charter.”

He said the Charter was a very powerful document that was fully integrated in government’s Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Economic Development and as such is of significant assistance in our quest for building an inclusive and a prosperous Fiji. -- Based on 2010, No: 2090/PSC.

This, of course, is good news but if the NPCAC truly wants more "ownership by ordinary members of the public," it should release the names of its members and the terms of their appointment, and it should be far more proactive in getting Government to publish the Roadmap. Why such an important document has taken so long to be turned from working draft to official publication defies explanation.

ANOTHER DAY OLDER AND DEEPER IN DEBT.  Think of a country that's deeply in debt, where imports exceed exports, where investment's risky, and where its dollar is worth less and less.  Obvious, isn't it? Fiji. Professor Narsey told us so. But no, this is not quite the right answer.

The editorial I was reading was not about Fiji; it was about New Zealand.  Apparently my country "is in deep hock to the rest of the world; our total indebtedness is on a similar scale to the so-called PIGS – Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain...Standard & Poor's has downgraded the outlook of our sovereign debt." Moreover, our Institute of Economic Research warns about "our dollar battered by global currency wars." It's lost over 10% of its value against the Australian dollar in less than a year. We need to maintain our exports and save more and spent less.

The editorial says we have "raft of deep-seated, home-grown problems that stand between us and prosperity" and we require honesty to face these problems.  Now this does sound like Fiji. Where does the editorial say NZ should look for inspiration and example?  To Singapore that has "transformed itself [by] determined long-term planning." Isn't this where Fiji's been looking?  Reference:" NZ Listener Dec 18-24.

GARMENT EXPORTS UP, ATTRACT AUSSIE INVESTORS. Ten years garments were Fiji's largest industry but as preferential trade agreements with Australia, NZ and Europe, and quotas to the US were removed, markets collapsed and fly-by-night Chinese investors fled the country leaving bills and workers unpaid. The global recession and severe flooding in 2009 didn't help, either. The industry was in serious trouble. But now, thanks largely to reforms within the industry, things are looking up.

Last year, income from garments contributed 30% of Fiji's $3.5 billion GDP. Importers from Australia are interested, with some showing an interest in direct investment. Exports this year seem likely to be worth close to $100 million.

Textile, Clothing and Footwear Council president Kalpesh Solanki told a recent fashion exhibition in Melbourne: "We focus on flexibility. We Focus on small, customized orders. We practice a high degree of social responsibility. We speak clear and fluent English. And most of all we deliver quality. For any international company that needs superior quality at competitive prices with great service, clear communications and that requires social accountability concerning how their products were manufactured, then I say that you need to ‘Make it in Fiji’!” Besides Australia (AusAID helped the reforms), UK, US, New Zealand and Japan are also vital clientele for Fiji garments.

[I'm not too sure about the social responsibility claim. Many workers are paid only a little over a dollar an hour, far below the poverty line, and employer pressure has seen government defer minimum wage legislation for another two years.]

RESPONSE FROM WAGES COUNCILS.

The Editor, The Fiji Sun

[email protected]

Dear Sir,

I am sure many people were pleased to read the statement of Mr Kalpesh Solanki concerning the garment industry in the Sunday Sun (19^th December). He speaks in very positive terms about his hopes for the garment industry in Fiji and suggests estimated exports could come close to $100 million this year because of new investor interest.

Mr Solanki said: “Our industry has undergone a successful transformation over the past four years that will benefit our clients ... “. He acknowledges financial assistance and support received from AusAID to “redefine, regenerate and retool Fiji’s garment industry from the bottom up”. He also notes that besides Australia, the UK, US, New Zealand and Japan are also vital clientele for Fiji garments.

This should certainly be good news for those working in the garment industry in Fiji. Currently their wages are the lowest in the country at $1.50 an hour for beginners and $1.78 for others and have not been adjusted for two years. Moreover there should be no reason now for employers from the garment sector to oppose wage increases established by the Wages Council.

It was also good to hear Mr Solanki assure his audience that: “We practice a high degree of social responsibility”. I trust that workers in the textile, clothing and footwear industry can now look forward to being beneficiaries of this newly proclaimed high degree of social responsibility.

Yours sincerely,

Fr Kevin Barr, Chairman of the Wages Councils

ROD EWINS ON WADAN NARSEY'S 'DISAPPEARANCE.' Dr Rod Ewins is a fourth generation Fiji European, an expert on Fijian traditional art, now resident in Australia where he is a professor and honorary research assistant at the University of Tasmania. He keeps himself well informed on Fiji and visits regularly. Writing to friends about Prof Wadan Narsey's recent article on the 2011 Budget he noted that Wadan had been a consistent and vocal opponent of the government, and the "language in which he expresses his opposition is not always quite temperate."  He went on to say:

"It does occur to me in reading this [article]  that if Fiji were actually as draconian as he paints it having become, he would himself have either disappeared, be languishing in gaol, or at the very least have lost his USP position because of pressure brought to bear on the university administration.  In the countries to which Fiji is often compared by the most extreme critics of the current state of affairs, one of those things would certainly have occurred, probably all three in reverse order. That none of these has happened perhaps might provide hope that, though I have no doubt that there is much that is valid in his criticisms, particularly of things fiscal, overall things are not quite as bad as he paints them.

"But I realise that by even entertaining that possibility, I become what he would label a "European coup collaborator"! My definition of an extremist is one who holds the view that "he who is not with me is against me." I reject that view from either side. I don't think it is just that my eyesight is failing with advancing years that makes me see the world in multiple shades of grey rather than in black and white these days. I prefer to think it is the dawning of tolerance, something in very short supply in today's world."

TOUCHÉ. A reader writes: "If, as is claimed, Indo-Fijians, Europeans and Part-Europeans are coup collaborators, this must make Wadan Narsey among others coup collaborators. But how is ethnicity even relevant when people of all races lie on both sides of the political debate?"

Did you read what Mark Twain had to say about petrified opinion? 

See Quote for the Week in the right sidebar.

NZ Aid's New Direction, Neo-Liberalism, and Poverty as a Structural Problem

Fr Kevin Barr's "rushed comments" on last weekend's article by Gerald McGhie on NZ Aid. Fr Barr is the Chairman of the Wages Councils.  You should read McGhie's article if you have not already done so.

Namosi Visit QEB, Taveuni Road, Long Outdated Penalties, Child Labour, Education and Poverty, Wage Increases

NEWS SUMMARY. Today's news items show —  Namosi supporting Government, an appeal to Taveuni farmers to take advantage of a new road, the updating of exchange control penalties unchanged for 30 years, work to eradicate child labour and government's related efforts on education and poverty. There's also some good news for the police, nurses, builders and the economy.

Photo: Joske's Thumb and Namosi Highlands from Suva Harbour. Panoramio.com

NAMOSI GIVES PM 'CHRISTMAS PRESENT'. Some 200 Namosi people led by former SDL politician the Turaga na Tui Namosi, Ratu Suliano Matanotobua, visited the QEB yesterday to express support for Government and the military.

Receiving them, PM Bainimarama likened their visit to an early Christmas and New Year’s blessings. He thanked the vanua of Namosi for its continued support and took the opportunity to stress the importance of choosing the right people to lead the country after 2014.

“Everyone need to know the People’s Charter for Change Peace and Progress which entails government’s commitment towards a truly democratic government and elections process,” he said. “We do not want a corrupt Government coming in. We want every citizen of this nation to get the fruits of their labour in every little way they contribute.”

The PM also apologized to the vanua for government services that had been slow in reaching them. “We also would like to seek your patience if government services have not been to your expectations. He said government was people-focused and its intensions were directed at improving the living standards of ordinary citizens.  -- Based on 2010, Nos:2184 and 2182/MOI.

TAVEUNI, FIJI'S GARDEN ISLAND: INFRASTRUCTURE MUST PAY OFF. Government has been investing heavily in roading and other infrasture developments in the expectation that it will result in increased agricultural produce, especially from remote rural areas, and so bring jobs and regular income for the producers, increase marketable foodstuff,  and make Fiji less dependent on many food imports. The success of the plan rests on farmer outputs.

In opening the new $900,000 Ura–Soqulu Road on Taveuni island, Minister for Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Cde Timoci Natuva appealed to farmers to raise their efforts beyond subsistence level. The Minister said Government was playing its part. It was now up to farmers to perform their part by contributing more to boost the economy through greater farming efforts. To be commercial, attitudes on  proper time management need to change. “You need to use time better and that would mean that you will need to treat farming like any other job where you need to clock in on time. If urban workers leave for work at 6am or 7am farmers will need to behave similarly.”

Taveuni accounts for around 90% of Fiji's dalo exports worth about $21m last year, and the new road links communities in the main dalo growing area. It is hoped that huge container trucks can load dalo directly from farms in these areas for export. This should significantly reduce travelling costs and thereby farmer’s cost of production. -- Based on 2010, No:2177/MOI.

PENALTIES FOR EXCHANGE BREACHES.Government has approved changes to the Exchange Control Act that will see see fines and penalties that have not been changed for "more than three decades." The new fines of up to $500,000 and a maximum prison term of up to 10 years are expected to improve compliance, and will assist the Reserve Bank in reconciling export receipts. Exporters are urged to contact the Bank if they have any questions. -- Reserve Bank Press Release.


CHILD LABOUR: GOVERNMENT'S EDUCATION AND POVERTY EFFORTS. Government's aim is to eradicate child labour, said Ministry of Labour Permanent Secretary Taito Waqa speaking at the official launch of the Child Labour Research and Actions Programmes in Suva yesterday. He listed government initiaties taken towards this goal which included fee free education, the abolishment of external examinations in primary and lower secondary schools, free transport to students who qualify under a means test, provisions of education facilities to non-government schools and the creation of the parallel skill board for Technical Vocational Education Training in schools.

Child labour is often related to poverty and in this area government had several poverty alleviation policies in place. The Budget allocation for assistance towards poverty alleviation in 2011 had been increased to $70 million compared to $54m in 2010. The allocations of free bus fare and food voucher programmes are $12 and $11m respectively with a cash grant of $40 to $60 per child per month will be paid in respect of orphans.

This was in addition to Family Assistance Allowance of $60 to $100 per month, electricity subsidy of $3.5m, housing assistance of $10m and a tax threshold of $15,000 with Government’s commitment to establish a minimum wage for the first time by 2012.

 “These poverty alleviation policies and programmes are aimed at providing social protection and security for all categories of the poor, including children,” he said.-- Based on 2010, No:2192/MOI.

BUILDINGS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. The value of building permits issued is an often used indicator of economic growth. Figures released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics indicate that economic recovery could be on the way. For the first six months of this year the value of permits issued was $61,804 compared with $48,754 for similar periods in 2009 and $13,114 in 2008.-- Based on 2010, No:2168/MOI.

POLICE AND NURSES have been given a nice Christmas present with increases in salary backdated to January 2009 for police and a 3% increase backdated to January 2010 for nurses. Increases for other civil servants will be considered later.-- Based on 2010, No:2188/PSC.

WEEKEND READING. ♦ Allen Lockington Column ♦ 'Eakalafi Moala and Baroness Onora O'Neill on Media Freedom ♦ Graham Reid's third and final article on his Fiji visit ♦ Fr Barr on NZ Aid and Neo-Liberalism  ♦ The intended article on the Budget will probably be again deferred due to an extra game of golf this week — and the celebration of my first hole-in-one!

A Blow to Productivity and Stability

By Fr Kevin J. Barr 

Chairman, Wages Council but expressing his personal views

1.   Productivity

In a previous article published in the Fiji Sun a few weeks ago I discussed the issue of productivity and showed that it involved a number of inter-related components – not just worker productivity. Worker productivity is only one element in the wider issue of the productivity of a company or business.

Fr Kevin Barr on the Wage Councils

ADDRESS of CHAIRMAN OF THE WAGES COUNCILS

Fr Kevin Barr

JJs on the Park 16^th September 2010

Rumours, PER, Commonwealth Games, Chinese & Thai Help, Afforable Housing, Wages

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See new QUOTE FOR THE WEEK in right sidebar.  Also new link to Fijianatimes.  

DON'T LISTEN TO RUMOURS. "  Don't listen to rumours. They are dangerous."   This was the slogan heard on Singapore radio and TV in the early 1960s when this small country was not yet free of racial tensions, civic unrest, and unfriendly neighbours --  a country then not too different from Fiji now.


In a weekend posting ABC journalist Bruce Hill wrote a humourous but telling article on his recent visit to Fiji where rumour abounds. He was correct in inferring that PER (The Public Emergency Regulations) leaves the field wide open for rumour.

But what he did not say, which is equally true, is that some rumour is deliberately manufactured to create political instability, just as it was in Singapore. I would advocate lifting PER to lessen the influence of such rumours, and leave other public order laws to deal with the "manufacturers."

FOR AND AGAINST THE PER. The weekend post generated much comment. Some readers agreed with Hill. Others thought rumour was  nothing new in  Fiji. I argued that PER should be lifted despite the risks because it would show good faith and win government much needed support from the uncommitted. I thought other laws would contain crime -- and attempts to destabilise government.  Still other readers wanted the PER retained. Here is what one of them wrote:

"Will Bruce Hill take responsibility should the PER be lifted for those who decide overnight to invade my compound or my neighbours' next door - eight-at-a-time wielding knives and masked by balaclavas wholly intent upon havoc? Does he or anyone like him fully realise the reality of the situation that is being confronted? Rumours distort the climate of prevailing uncertainty but a premature lifting of the PER would most likely be a return to opportunistic crime and rent-a-mob.

"So easy to advocate for the easy way out when you are not here and not prey to 'what happens next'. Not unlike democratic elections now underway in Afghanistan. More than premature, one might think? Who has the right to exhort people to vote if doing so will expose them to marauding Taliban? Afghanistan is a war zone, for heaven's sake. Fiji is a 'rumour-mongering zone'.

"The smart people work out a way to disentangle fact from fiction. The rest just sail along with the tide of the latest fantastic fallacy robed in the garb of veracity. How else is one to pass the time until 2014? "

OUT BUT IN THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES. Isoa Damudamu will be part of the English Rugby Sevens team in Delhi next month; other Fijians are likely to be members of other competing teams and -- with the exclusion of the Fiji team--  medals for England, Australia, Samoa and New Zealand seem more assured. It is likely a Fijian (or two) will help them to victory.

CHINESE TO HELP DEVELOP VANUA LEVU. A Chinese government Chinese government initiative, sparked in part by the PM's recent visit to China, resulted in a visit by a team from the Chinese Embassy to Fiji's second largest island Vanua Levu (5½ thousand square kilometers, and half the size of Viti Levu) last week. The visit is expected to result in more Chinese investment in the island. Speaking of the visit, the PM said: "We need infrastructure. We need water. We need electricity. Australia and New Zealand and  America, none of those nations are going to provide that. We know that now because of their policies towards us, so let's forget about these nations." [It need not be an either/or choice, if only the PM  played his cards  closer to his chest.]

THAILAND HELPS AFFORDABLE HOUSING. Fiji and Thailand  are to sign a memorandum of agreement on housing assistance. The new initiatives will involve NGOs,including the People's Community Network (PCN) and new homes at Lagilagi ('squatter') settlement in the Jittu Estate, Suva. [The original article has been corrected.]

MINIMAL OR MINIMUM WAGES? Wages Council chairman Fr Kevin Barr, reacting to concerns by some business leaders who queried the link between wages and poverty, thinking unemployment a more likely cause, said that while there are other factors that contribute to poverty, the level of wages is the key factor. Many full-time workers, he said,  are poor because their wages are below the poverty line, and close to 40% of Fiji's population live below this line. Over a half of full time workers can't afford to send their children to school, they can't afford proper health care and good nutritious food.

He said a fair wage was not whatever wage the worker was persuaded to accept. A just wage was one that  a worker to enable him or her to support the family in their basic requirements of food, clothing, housing, education and health care.

NZ-Solomons-Fiji, Wages, China, Media, Economy, Health

PACER PLUS WEB LINKS. Apologies to readers were unable to access the links I thought I'd provided on 21 August. Click http://www.aidwatch.org.au/publications/pacer-plus-resources here to access.

NZ WILL HELP "RESTORE DEMOCRACY." PM John Key has again said NZ will "help the Fiji interim regime restore democracy" with personnel or financial assistance. This is great news except that the "restoration" cannot be to the former very imperfect democracy that some would claim was racism in disguise.

The PM also wants the Bainimarama government to "engage with all the relevant stakeholders in Fiji, including other political parties." Re-engage to restore democracy with race-based political parties?

“My government," he said, " has tried to reach out and offer the hand of friendship to Fiji. We want to see democracy restored there and we are working very aggressively to make that happen.”

John, you must know you are asking the impossible. In fact, you're playing the same cracked record Helen Clarke first played  in 2007. We need a new label and a new tune.

However, NZ's recent support to include Fiji in Pacer Plus talks and the reduced travel ban now only for "regime members and their immediate family" might, just might, be the start of something new.  But who, exactly, are the regime members?  Does the definition still includes career civil servants, the judiciary, members of quasi-government and statutory boards, and members of the USP Council?



SOLOMONS AND NZ ON FIJI. New PM Danny Philip restated that what Fiji does is Fiji’s own business. “We are going to make a practical, candid relationship with Fiji on the matter. We are going to embrace Fiji, we are going to talk with Fiji, to have consultations with Fiji.”

His comment followed his meeting with NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully who in turn said his three visits  to Fiji this year were a sign of engagement with the Fijian administration in Suva. [1. On your marks. 2. Get Set.  3.No Go.]

GARMENT WAGES. The Wage Council has been unable to decide on proposed base wage rates for the garment factory workers as the employers’ representatives were "not available" Chairman Fr Kevin Barr  hopes that the appointment of new Council members by Government will make a ruling possible by the end of the year. Fr Barr acknowledged the need for businesses to remain competitive in a difficult business environment but said the Council will "not allow employers to pay workers extremely low wages."
   
CHINESE INVESTMENT. Minister for Trade Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that 14 representatives from two Chinese companies have come forward with proposals ranging from setting up a cement factory, slipway facilities, investing in Agriculture, Port facilities as well as hardware opportunities and education, as a result of the Shanghai Expo and the PM's recent visit to China.

GOVERNMENT AND THE MEDIA. Government recognizes that the media plays an integral role in ensuring good governance and sustainable development says Information Permanent Secretary Sharon Smith Johns. But this means "a responsible and non-partisan press prepared to look at all points of view, not reflecting the personal agendas and prejudices of journalists and media organizations. She pointed in particular to what she calls a ‘hostile media campaign’ against Fiji by a number of Australian media organizations saying they lacked an understanding of the progresses the country has made so far.

ECONOMIC GROWTH TOO LITTLE. Economist Dr Mahendra Reddy said Fiji's projected 1.7% growth rate is short of the benchmark, and should be growing by 6-7% annually. For the past 20 years the economy has been growing marginally by 1-2% and last year it contracted by 2.2%. He expected growth to improve with the growth of Fiji's trading partners but pointed to the need to improve internal factors. It is hoped Government measures will improve confidence and investment to ensure growth.

HIV/AIDS CASES INCREASING.The number of positive cases of HIV AIDS in Fiji is increasing. The Head of Department of the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV, Dr Litia Narube says that unless the country introduces the compulsory testing of pregnant mothers, or their partners, then the trend in Fiji will be as bad as that in PNG where one adult in three could be infected within the next 20 years. Where cases are detected among pregnant mothers, they are given drugs from 7 months into pregnancy until one week after birth. The WHO recommends drugs from 3 months into pregnancy but Fiji does not have the resources.

WHY TOO MANY FIJIANS DIE YOUNG. Fiji has an inactive and lazy population  says Fiji College of General Practitioners President Dr Ram Raju. Statistics show that more than 80% of the population die from Non-Communicable Diseases. Approximately 18% are diabetics, 19% are hypertensive and 81% are overweight.Only 16% of the population is aged over 50 years. This means that men and women in their prime working life are dying too early as a result of NCD’s. Dr Raju says our population appears very lazy and NCD’s are preventable if people exercise regularly, eat the right food, stay fit and lead an active life.

MSG Invitations Significant, Poverty & Social Wage, FNPF Devaluation, Nurses, RKS Apology

NA SALA CAVA?  Readers are urged to scroll down to the three "Way Forward" questions, read what others think, and add their own comments.Today is the last day for comments that I'll summarize this week before postingmore question on Friday.

THE SUN ARTICLE. I think some people are reading too much into the Fiji Sun article I criticized yesterday. Many readers agreed with me that the article did Government no favours. I'm sure the PM was embarrassed by its publication.  It was "way over the top", but the article was not typical. Far from it. Most Sun articles are at least as professional as other media, and their coverage often much better.  Anti-Government readers should spare their criticism for The Fiji Times whose typical lack of coverage favourable to Government is constantly  "way over the top"  -- although it seems to have improved a little lately.

A reader commented: You're right, Croz. Anyone who has any sympathy with the regime at all ought to be horrified by this piece in the Fiji Sun. Because it's precisely the kind of crude, unsophisticated propaganda that is guaranteed to be totally unproductive.

MELANESIAN SPEARHEAD GROUP-PLUS. Fiji is hosting the MSG meeting in July, and after consulting members the PM has invited leaders of the Pacific smaller states to attend "because that is the request they put through to me after we were removed from the PI Forum by Australia and New Zealand ... Island states have said that they would like to talk and that would be the only forum that would be available for them to talk to us - the MSG." [This is a significant geopolitical move by Fiji that marginalises Australia and New Zealand. The reaction and uptake will be interesting.]


POOR NEED 'SOCIAL WAGE.'  Integrating services helping the poor and government assistance to provide them with a social wage (that includes the money needed for transport, health and education) will help lift the poor out of poverty, according to USP Development Studies Professor Vijay Naidu, speaking to a Consultation on the Definition of the Poor and their Needs.

“What is needed for our government to do is to bring all these different types of support together and put it in some kind of framework so that we see an integrated process ... What I am saying is not original; it has been reported in the UNDP Fiji Government poverty report, that if we head towards being a low wage economy, it is government's duty to provide subsidies and I’d like to say that the government is doing that.” At the end of today’s workshop, participants are expected to draft a poverty statement for Fiji.

FNPF DEFENDS NATADOLA DEVALUATION. An internal forensic audit into the Natadola Bay resort project suports the writedown from $301 million to $81 million which reflects the resort's actual value. The FNPF is taking steps to hold those accountable for the writedown and has also identified specific actions to ensure that these funds are recovered over time.The FNPF said this will not happen overnight. The Fund has engaged Deloittes from Australia to conduct a forensic investigation into the Natadola Project.

MORE NURSE TRAINEES. The nurse training intake for the next three years  will be 170, up from 90, to address the nursing shortage. Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma said the Fiji School of Nursing intake will increase from 90 to 120 and the Fiji National University to 50. Typically, 60 nurses a year left the workforce through retirement or migration. This year 65 nurses have been promoted to create space for new graduates, and 20 nurses who had returned from working overseas had been absorbed into the workforce as senior nurses.

RATU KADAVULEVU SCHOOL. The PM has apologized to parents, guardians and students for the one week closure of the school due to the kitchen not meeting health standards. The fault lies with the PWD that was given funds a week ago and failed to do anything. The PM, a school old boy, will open the ndew multi-million dollar school Chapel at the end of the month following a request from Old Scholars.

WELL WORTH LOOKING AT. Two items in the left column. Scroll down to see the video of the Queen's 1953 visit to Fiji and Tonga, and further down for the latest political satire in the Namuamua Journal.

(o) When Criticism Should be Heard

BIMAN'S Criticism Useful

The word "criticism" is often used to describe a negative, fault-finding comment, but it more accurately means a judgement or assessment that may be positive or negative, or both. USP Economics Professor Biman Prasad's comments on the need for Government to encourage confidence to grow the economy reported in Islands Business were both. They were, I think, a fair, reasoned and helpful assessment that Government would do well to heed, despite his otherwise well-known opposition to the legality of  Government.  Photo: RadioFiji

Plot Updates, Ballu Khan, EU Talks, Methodists, Women's Rights, Wages, Poverty, Commonwealth

Short Briefs
Photo: Williams and Khan. Solomon Times.
NZ lawyer slams Fiji trial. Peter Williams QC is arguably New Zealand's best known and most respected criminal lawyer. His link to Fiji is his success in obtaining a permanent stay of prosecution for Ballu Khan, an acquittal that now looks of doubtful justice. The QC is questioning the validity of the court process in the Assassination plot case:

"I think the international press should make some inquiries into the validity of the trial and how the panel was put together and who appointed the judge and who appointed the assessors ... And whether or not those appointments were made by the military and if so wasn't the military one of the main participants in the trial itself; one of the parties ... All the evidence came from the military, the victims are supposed to be military so it would be a very interesting exercise if somebody - a journalist - was prepared to dig in and have a look at those lines of inquiry."

The remarks suggest he was caught on the hop by a journalists' phone call. They lacked the precision and care of a considered response: his "panel" and "assessors" are one and the same; he seemed not to know that all judges since the Abrogation of the Constitution last June are appointed by the Attorney-General's office (and all lawyers have  their licences renewed by the same office); the military, so far as we can know, had no involvement in the selection of judges or assessors; the asssessors were routinely selected from a list of 160; those selected were agreed to by both prosecution and defence lawyers; most (not all) of the evidence came from the military, as might be expected in this particular case; the original charge included two civilian intended victims and one who escaped being charged was his former client Ballu Khan . [See previous post on assessor selection procedures.]


Ballu Khan. Police are now analyzing the High Court judgment and sentencing of the eight men convicted of conspiracy to murder PM Bainimarama before deciding on the steps, in any, should be taken in relation to businessman Ballu Khan whose name was mentioned in court a number of times during the course of the trial.

Justice Paul Madigan said he had "no doubt" that the plot was hatched by, orchestrated by, and directed by Ballu Khan, probably in concert with his business partner Ratu Inoke Takiveikata.

Khan had been initially charged as one of the conspirators but High Court Judge Justice Andrew Bruce granted him a permanent stay on all proceedings because his personal rights and his rights to a legal counsel were breached by the police and the RFMF and that he was unlawfully  and unconstitutionally detained for a substantial period of time after his arrests.

Fiji-EU talks to iron out political landscape. A new bilateral agreement between Fiji and the European Union has been drafted under the Cotonou Protocol to take into account Fiji’s current political situation.The draft agreement will be discussed in a series of meeting expected to start in Suva later this week.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Solo Mara says the new agreement is aimed at replacing the current agreement that was enacted in 2007.The EU have stopped all aid to Fiji following the 2006 coup but have now agreed to hold substantial dialogue with Fiji. The multi million dollar sugar aid package that is being withheld by the EU will also be part of the agenda.

Methodists grievances. The Methodist Church has invited PM Bainimarama to speak at its three-day meeting from March 22-24 so that he may hear their grievances. The invitation was sent after permission was granted to the church to conduct the three-day meeting for its senior superintendents and stewards.

Methodists charged. Eighteen Methodist Church in Fiji ministers who have been charged with breaching Public Emergency Regulations.The group were part of a church standing committee meeting that allegedly breached their permit to conduct a meeting in July last year.

Women's rights improving. In opening the national celebrations to mark International Womens' Day in Suva yesterday, Acting Minister for Women Dr Neil Sharma  said Fiji has made a lot of headway towards ensuring equal opportunities for women. There are more than 300 women members of Hospital Boards and they’re also represented in all spheres of the civil service; new laws, including include the Domestic Violence Decree and the Employment Relations Promulgation, will further protect women and enhance their status in society, and 90%  of the 24,000 beneficiaries of the Small and Micro Finance Scheme are women. Government also intends to address the future representation of women in Parliament.


Wages and Poverty. Wages Council Chairman Father Kevin Bar says over 40% of the population are poor and the wage rate has become a major concern requiring immediate steps to be taken. Many can't afford to send their children to school or afford decent housing and they live in squatter settlements. Many can't afford proper health care or good nutritous food. "And so is it any wonder when we learn that although they are in full time employment, 60% of our workers are earning below the poverty line. There is a strong connection between that statistic 60%  and the 40% living in poverty.”

Commonwealth Day was celebrated in Fiji yesterday, despite its suspension from the Commonwealth.  If it was also celebrated in NZ, I must have missed it.

Short Briefs Mon 1.3.10

Today, Muslims celebrate the Prophet's Birthday and Hindus Holi. President Ratu Epeli Nailalatikau stresses the importance of religion in nation building and taking Fiji to a better future.

I find it strange that the RadioFiji web page invariably chooses a photo of PM Bainimarama in military uniform, just like the overseas media that seeks to stress his military role. Bainimaramana  said the lifting of sanctions was the main issue discussed between Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and Murray McCully when they met last week, but "Ratu Inoke was doing the talking on Fiji’s behalf." Good. One spokesman. One voice.

PM Bainimarama has again stated the SDL, NFP, FLP parties will not participate in the forthcoming National Dialogue or be allowed to return to power in 2014. He claims ther parties are holding secret meetings and were behind the "600,000" petition.

Wages Council chair Fr Kevin Barr  expects wage increases from July 1 2010, saying the Council is trying to be fair to employers and workers. The People's Charter sought a national minimum wage in accordance with the poverty line, at present $175 a week. Some 60 percent of workers are below that. The increases will be introduced gradually.

The new $8m bridge at Naqali  opened by the PM last week will enable the eleven tikina (districts) of Naitasiri who live past Naqali to get their produce to the markets in time and also transport those who are sick to the hospital and the struggle they used to face in the old bridge will now be a thing of the past. The villages will also soon have access to electricity.

Government is exploring ways to upgrade Nadi International Airport.

The new US Embassy at Tamavua, Suva, to open next year will have cost $100 million, about one-half of which feed back into the local economy. The US Embassy is accredited to Fiji, Tonga,  Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru, and is the largest US consul district in the world which includes French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna.

Snippets: Imrana Jalal, PER, Civil Service Audit, Permanent Secretaries, Child Poverty, Garment Industry, Bus Workers Unionise

(-) By Hook or by Crook* Chook. It really does take a big leap of imagination to know why it's the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), and not the Suva City Council, that is charging well known human rights and anti-government lawyer Imrana Jalal and her husband Ratu Sakiusa Tuisolia with operating their Suva Hook and Chook restaurant without a proper licence. See also Imrana's statement on this charge posted on Coup FourPointFive.

Fiji Law Society President Dorsami Naidu, also not a government friend, says he doesn’t understand why FICAC has become involved, but adds "the Commission seem to single out people who are critical of the regime." It may be  coincidental but magistrate Mary Muir who questioned FICAC over the matter was  dismissed on Monday.

Whatever the rights and wrongs involved, Government must not be -- and must not be seen to be -- petty or vindictive in situations like this. It has a country to run! Not a restaurant!

* Hook or by crook means "by any means possible." Origin possibly from a custom in mediaeval England that allowed peasants to take dead wood from the royal forest that they could reach with a shepherd's crook or a reaper's billhook.  Photo: LunchinSuva

G) PER Extended but -- Light at the End of the Tunnel?  PER, the Public Emergency Regulations, first imposed in April following the Abrogation of the Constitution, were extended for another 30 days from January 3, but indications are that they will be lifted once the recently passed Media Decree is in place. Full story.

(G) Massive Civil Service Audit. All Government departments and ministries will be audited this year as a step to decide their right-size. The audit will also determine the minimum qualifications required, and the appropriatess of salary scales,for each position. The restructuring exercise that will follow in 2011 is part of Government’s plan to reform the civil service which could also save the country a huge amount of money. Full story.

(o) Permanent Secretaries. Ten permanent secretary posts in Government ministries, where contracts are due to expire in March, have been advertised by the Public Service Commission. The posts are:  Local Government, Lands and Mineral Resources, Trade and Commerce and Labour ,Public Service, Public Enterprise, Indigenous Affairs, Agriculture, Public Utilities and Defence, National Security and Immigration.

In anticipation of the usual comments by Anti-Government bloggers, please note that these are routine arrangements with none of sinister implications the bloggers invariably read into changes in the civil service. Full story.

(o) Children and Poverty. An honest, apolitical, no-holds-barred account of child poverty in Fiji can be read on the Inter Press Service website.

(+) Garments and Poverty Alleviation.The garment industry, that currently employs about 4,000 people, mostly women and mostly very poor, suffered a loss of over 1,000 jobs and a drop of 25 percent in exports last year. Government hopes to turn this situation round with the grant of $300,000 to a goverment-private sector marketing campaign intended to grow jobs to 6,000 and increase exports to over $150m within three years. The industry plays an important part in Governnment's poverty alleviaton programme, providing workers and their families with low but steady incomes, protection of the labour laws, dignity and a degree of empowerment. Full story.   

(+) Buses and Unions. Nair Transport Company that operates in the Nasinu area will become the first bus company to allow its workers to be members of a trade union. Fiji Transport Workers Union secretary Kamlesh Kumar hopes details will be finalized soon, and that other bus companies will follow suit. Full story.

(+) The Government School Bus fare subsidy scheme has been  extended to those travelling by boat, minibus and carriers.

   

(o) Iconic Kiwi Biscuit Made in Fiji; Negative Blog Report

STOP PRESS. Click here for the Fiji reaction.

  
Griffin, NZ-biscuit makers since 1864, is "outsourcing" some of its production to Fiji.   

The NZ reactions?

• Manufacturer: "did not believe the political situation in Fiji would affect the company."
• Union (looking after its members):"It's a surprise to me – I thought it was all made here."
• Green Party  MP Keith Locke:  Griffins could be exploiting poor worker conditions in Fiji. "There is effectively a dictatorship in Fiji [which] has undermined the ability of unions to operate freely and to maintain or improve the conditions of the workers." 

The facts? 

• The NZ Union was unable to prevent Griffin closed its Lower Hutt factory a year ago with a loss of 228 jobs.  The outsourcing is not directly related to the closure although both, of course, are to do with costs and profits. 
• Wages are lower in Fiji (hence the move) but isn't providing on-going jobs, helping Fiji exports and restoring a little of the massive NZ-Fiji trade imbalance, less patronising than giving aid?  
• The Fiji Government has introduced minimum wages in a raft of industries. This is something no previous government has done and something unions had little to nothing to do with.The initiative, Keith, came from the "dictatorship."
  

The DominionPost went to the trouble of interviewing the manufacturer, the union, an MP, and conducted a street survey comparing samples of NZ- and Fiji-made biscuits. One person preferred the Fiji biscuit, but wanted to buy Kiwi-made, and was quite dumbfounded to learn Fiji was producing the new biscuits. "Wasn't there a coup happening, and they're making biscuits there?" (She now knows two things about Fiji!)

The ultimate irony: Griffin is owned by Australian-based Pacific Equity Partners, and is no longer a Kiwi firm at all.  Pity the paper doesn't spend as much energy researching Fiji -- and educating the public that countries can have coups and still make biscuits! Full story.


What's in a Word? A Lot


Coupfourpointfive reports the Government-EU meeting under the banner "Regime Begs EU for Sugar Funding". Begs? Asks? Explains? The posting was otherwise informative but the heading led readers towards the interpretations intended: the loss of EU help due to the Coup, the "contradiction" between Kubuabola's "plea" and  Bainimarama's stance and "change of tune", and, of course, the downturn in sugar production caused by you-who-know. Journalists are, of course, entitled to their own opinions but opininons and polemics should not be presented as news. Things are bad. The sugar industry is in crisis, as it has been for several years. And the EU and Government, as reported earlier in this blog, "will now follow-up on the major outcomes of the discussion with the aim of ultimately resuming formal consultations."   

Oppose the Government by all means, Coupfourpointfive, but less negative reporting would not detract from your cause -- it may even help it.

Snippets: Punja, Post Fiji, NFU, Air Pacific, Reserve Bank, Methodists, PACER

(o-) Hari Punja Blames Government's Vacillating Policies for Fiji Flour Mills Loss ...of $6.4m  on price control measures and what he says were arbitrary government decisions on duties and import policies.  Click here for full report. Photo: Radio Fiji.

(o+) Proposed Rationalisation of Transport 
Talks are under way on the proposed merger of Fiji’s road and motor vehicle regulator, the Land Transport Authority, and the country’s road safety agency, the National Road Safety Council.The merger of several educational institutions into the Fiji National University was reported earlier.

(o+) An Earlier Decision by Post Fiji to Cut Employee Wages...
by 10 percent for ten weeks to cut costs has been rescinded following discussion with the Ministry of Public Enterprises.

(-+) Farmers' Claims Against Military to be Investigated
The Fiji Labour Party reports that Defence Minister, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, has asked the military’s chief of staff to look into claims made by the National Farmers Union of intimidation, harassment and torture at the hands of the military.

(o) Good News for Tourists and Tourist Industry but ...
bad news for Fiji's national carrier Air Pacific that with a large financial loss in the 2009 year will now face more competition  from Australian discount carriers Virgin Blue and soon-to-arrive Jetstar airlines.

 (+) It's Earlier Days Yet But ...
the Reserve Bank claims its policy efforts to cushion the Fiji economy against the global financial crisis and other natural disasters has been successful.

(o) Nine Methodist Ministers and Officials ...
 were in court this week charged with organising meetings in contravention to the Public Emergency Regulations. The case will be recalled on November the 10th.

(o) Fiji Has Suspended Part Two ...
of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) after its pleas for inclusion in trade talks among Pacific Island countries fell on deaf ears.