New Year’s resolution
Ever since I have been following the letters to the editor column, I can’t recall the last time the prime minister of Fiji wrote one. Hence, honourable PM’s letter titled ‘New Year’s resolution’ (FT: 14/01) added a touch to one of the most popular columns in the trusted brand. The letter was short, but carried the weight of our beloved nation. The introductory lines, “We resolve as citizens of this country to see beyond those things that have kept us apart; to put behind us the hurt, the sorrow and the tragedies. We resolve to be proud of our differences, to celebrate and accept them as part of a national identity that gives us the foundation and strength for remaking Fiji,” summed up honourable PM’s vision for a united and prosperous Fiji that many dream of. Thank you honourable PM, and I hope to see more of your letters in the letters to the editor column, which is read by thousands of Fijians on a daily basis! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Hotel workers
Before COVID-19 major hotels were paying workers much more than the minimum rate. Hotels negotiated with the union to reduce workers rates because of hardship brought about by COVID-19 on the understanding that once the situation improves, rates will return to pre-COVID rates. However, some hotels are using COVID as an excuse to pay hotel workers less than pre-COVID rates and tell workers they are receiving a pay rise when simply they are regularising the rates. The situation is improving. Hotel workers will not see it as pay rise unless and until their rates are put back to pre-COVID rates first. Pay rise begins thereafter. Having said this it’s hotels who have regularised their rates early that are attracting experienced hotel workers. Those using COVID as an excuse to maintain low rates do so at their own peril. They will attract young and inexperienced workers who, once trained, will leave in search of better rates for performing similar jobs. Dan Urai Lautoka
What’s the difference?
What’s the difference between a feared leader and a respected leader? The feared leader is feared no more once he is out of power. The respected leader remains respected even when he is no longer in power. Hope the two men who ruled by fear over the people of Fiji for 16 years realise the difference now? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Flood problem
Reference is hereby made to Kamal Prasad, chief executive officer, Fiji Roads Authority – The Fiji Times, Saturday, January 14, 2023. Thank you for your immediate attention in rectifying this road flooding problem closest to McDonald’s Nadi and Nalagi Hotel. Your prompt attention is indeed exemplary and much appreciated. Vinaka vakalevu saka. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
A suggestion
May I suggest to the Coalition Government to get the service of the distinguished Professor Wadan Narsey, ASAP! I have read his writings on poverty and I am convinced that he is the right man to bring in. His expert advise could also be handy in resuscitating our economy. Chiuu! Alipate Tuberi Suva
Not enough?
Oppo to Oppo MP says $200 not enough for students. What is then? $1 per day for six months? Math much? MANOJ LAL Patel DRASA Ave, LAUTOKA
Issue of freebies
The Opposition quickly clang their cymbals and gongs pointing to the backto-school initiative shouting and wailing: those are freebies! The Prime Minister affirms their assessment and accepts that those are indeed freebies. Case closed. Sailosi Naewe Naduru Rd, Nausori
Swimming pool
With the heavy rain that Lautoka experienced the Botanical Garden Swimming pool must be full or overflowing with water. Mosquitoes must be happy as they must be reproducing. What happened to the peer study of the swimming pool? I believe a elected councillors will be able to advise what went wrong and how much was wasted. Geoffrey Chand Lautoka
One-man government
I don’t think the previous government was a two-men government. I think it was one-man government. Sukha Singh Labasa
Russian program
We hope that the Prime Minister and Minister for Information will ask the incoming board members of FBC TV to issue a directive to the CEO to stop broadcasting the Russian government-sponsored TV channel Russia Today (RT) on FBC 2 TV. While RT is banned throughout Europe, our government-owned TV station is broadcasting this offensive Russian propaganda for up to four hours each day. I believe the false and biased “News” reports in this TV program are an insult to the intelligence of the Fiji viewers and are designed to remove support for the suffering people of Ukraine. What is the CEO’s agenda in pushing this trope on the people of Fiji? Is FBC getting paid by Russia to broadcast their vicious propaganda? We hope the honourable Minister for Information can put a stop to this Russian propaganda as soon as possible. AREN NUNNINK Hooper St, Savusavu
Any opposition?
THE Prime Minister’s directive to provide residence to even the Leader of the Opposition is magnanimous. Does the Opposition have any opposition to this? BIMAL PRASAD Newtown Rd, Wailoaloa, Nadi
Forgiveness
In response to Professor Sudesh Mishra’s comments on ‘moral compass’ (FT 10/01), Tessa Mackenzie wrote an excellent letter published in The Fiji Times (11/01). Thank you Tessa for your kind thoughts and advice which should benefit many including me. You have also compared the two popular ‘coup makers’ of our beautiful country. The current Prime Minister honourable Sitiveni Rabuka happens to be the pioneer of this coup culture. He did the first coup in 1987 which Professor Mishra may have referred to. Time and again he realised his mistake, regretted and apologised. As far as I know nearly all religions teach about the value of forgiveness. Many accepted his apology and elected him to be the Prime Minister in 1992. He was at the helm until 1999. Then the second major coup was in 2006 by Voreqe Bainimarama. He also ousted a democratically elected government of Laisenia Qarase. Ms Mackenzie very ably described the different qualities of these two coup makers. While Mr Rabuka regretted and apologised, I believe Mr Bainimarama remained arrogant and a dictator for the past 16 years. Interestingly in 2022 one coup maker did another coup on the other coup maker but this time in a democratic way. Almost 58 per cent of our voters supported him, therefore, Mr Rabuka is our new Prime Minister. We can already see changes coming and at this rate I predict, this Coalition Government will be quite popular in future. Thank you Ms Mackenzie for your beautiful letter that also encouraged me to put a few words here. Your name sounds very familiar, may have some connection with the Fiji flag if my memory is correct. Sorry if I am wrong. VIJAY MAHARAJ, Sydney, Australia (Yes, Tessa Mackenzie designed the Fiji flag, and has made Fiji her home since 1961 – Editor)
Looking history in the eye
Professor Suresh Mishra is absolutely right. Our history is an essential guide to our way forward and we must never forget the past. Of course history is never fully known or understood, but that does not prevent us from using what we do know to assist us in building our present and our future without repeating the mistakes. I have great respect for historians and I appreciate The Fiji Times daily reminding us of past events. Perhaps the daily history page writer could be a little braver in reminding us of the less good times instead of carefully avoiding them. Like Professor Mishra, I will never forget Dr Bavadra. However, there is evidently some misunderstanding. I personally do not believe that to forgive is to forget. I forgive, but I still clearly recall the many terrible events of 1987, and, as my memory deteriorates with age, I still try to keep hold in my mind all that Fiji has been through. I am very thankful that there are already moves to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Revealing the truth and facing up to our past will not be easy, but it is an undertaking that will lift us all to a better future. Tessa Mackenzie Suva
Contract employment
Education Minister in the previous FijiFirst government, Premila Kumar expressed the view in a press conference this week that contract employment was accepted widely as the basis for employment and that there is no life-long job. She explained that the employment contracts did not pose any problems for securing housing or other loans from financial institutions. In my view, employment contracts were designed to address a high turnover of people in certain positions in organisations or companies to ensure that an incumbent served continuously in a position considered critical to the particular employer. The contracts therefore protect the interest of the entity whilst also offering attractive remuneration packages to address the relatively short period of the employment contract. This is in my humble opinion the basis upon which employment contracts are entered into, which may normally be set at three to five years, and which are applicable to the top positions in an organisation. I do not see any need or relevance to apply contract employment to the lower levels of employment mainly because these workers are assumed to maintain their jobs until retirement or if ambition takes over for advancement outside their current employment. Outside of the contracted employees, employment agreements under the labour laws determine the rights of employees who may be represented by unions. I believe that binding all workers under employment contracts and enacting regressive labour laws to weaken industrial relations and union representation do not bring any other benefits other than curtailing the rights of employees and holding them “at ransom” when contracts come to an end. To add to their woes, responsible financial institutions are usually guided by the nature of employment of a person when considering loans to purchase assets. Just saying. EMOSI BALEI, Suva
Back-to-school assistance
I WOULD like to take this opportunity to personally thank our Prime Minister my senior OB honourable Sitiveni Rabuka and his fellow ministers, honourable Minister of Finance and the honourable Minister of Education OB Aseri Radrodro for approving the Back-to-School assistance, which comes at the right time when my parents are struggling to send me back to my school in early February, 2023. I’m a Year 13 student this year and I remembered there was a promise made by the previous government to allocate $20 worth of internet data per month to Year 13 students for educational purposes in the 2020– 2021 Budget. While the idea is noble, unfortunately it never eventuated because government found it a challenge to distribute the $20 data allocation to Year 13 students. I pledge to your high office honourable PM, if this data can be made available during our school holidays terms to assist us in our school projects as I’m anticipating an amount of $60 per student (three school terms x $20 = $60 instead of $240). Best wishes to all my peers returning to school soon! JADON E MASIVESI TADRA-VOTUALEVU, NADI
Human Rights Commission
AFTER reading in The Fiji Times 12/01/23, about Shamima Ali’s story about her work in the past 40 years of her life as a human rights activist, I’m 101 per cent sure that the position of Commissioner for FADHRC suits her well before mentoring someone at the same time to take over should she decide to call it a day. I have a feeling that FADHRC is in a disarray after its previous director left and needs someone who is a straight shooter like Ms Ali to get everyone in line and perform the role it is supposed to play but most importantly to bring some kind of confidence to the people of Fiji. She is not new nor a stranger to that position and I’m pretty sure she has a lot of knowledge and experience to pass on to the younger generation. Anyway happy belated 70th birthday Ms Ali! JIOJI M CAKACAKA TADRA, VOTUALEVU, NADI
