Premature Statement on Electoral Reform, Chiefs are Not the People, Squatters Praise Government, Mission Abuses of Office

A VOTE BEFORE TIME. I'm not sure on whose authority Strategic Framework for Change Coordinator Lote Raboila has announced that voting will not be compulsory for the 2014 elections. He says people will be given the choice whether to vote or not to vote according to Pillar One of the People's Charter. Pillar One makes no specific reference to compulsory or voluntary voting. But, more importantly, I wonder what this has to do with the SFC Office?

Isn't it up to the people who will be involved in the electoral reform process to make recommendations on all matters of electoral reform?  Government may give "advance notice" of what it would like, but their views should not be stated as facts before the event.

ALL PROVINCES NOW SUPPORT CHARTER. The Permanent Secretary PM's Office Col. Pio Tikoduadua, reports that Government now has the support of the 14 provinces in the country. He says even though some chiefs have yet to show their support, they have received assurances and encouragement throughout the 14 provinces. Great. But ...

But the chiefs and provincial council are not the people, though they invariably speak for them, and neither do they represent the non-ethnic Fijian population that don't quite fit into the provincial system. I understand the Rotuma districts have already expressed support for the Charter.

Does anyone know what Government envisages for the future of the separate and parallel system of ethnic Fijian administration, organized through tikina, provinces and divisions, come 2014?  And whether this will be open to discussion as per Pillar One of the Charter before then?  My understanding is that the roles of all ethnic Fijian institutions were to be reviewed.  This would include: the Great Council of Chiefs, the Native Land Trust Board, the Fijian Affairs Board, the Ministry of Fijian Affairs and Provincial Development, the Business Development initiatives such as Yasana Holdings and the Vanua Development Corporation and, of course, the Provincial Councils.  Some have already been reviewed but an overview of what has been done, and what remains to be done, and by whom, would be most useful.

Any volunteer to write about this, or provide the necessary information so that someone else can write it up?

SQUATTERS PRAISE GOVERNMENT. Semiti Qalowasa, Director of the People's Concerned Network, a grassroots NGO which aims to provide squatters with a legal piece of land and better housing, says the current government is the only government that truly cares about the plight of the less fortunate.

He was speaking at the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Lagilagi Housing Pilot Project at the Jittu Squatter Settlement that will see 162 families rehoused.  For years, he said, they have struggled to have the voices of squatters heard but past governments were full of false promises. The Lagilagi Housing Project will see the construction of three double-storey complexes with two bedrooms, with a single storey one bedroom complex  put aside for the elderly and those receiving Assistance from the Social Welfare Ministry.

The Project comprises a partnership between the 162 families and the PCN, whereby the families pay half the cost of the construction of their home, with the other half funded by the German Catholic funding group Misereor, and the Fiji Government. The land on which the houses will be built will be owned communally.

PUBLIC FUNDS ARE NOT PRIVATE  FUNDS. Major fiscal discrepancies in some of Fiji's foreign missions still need addressing, and the heads of the missions need to be held accountable.  Take,  for example, the mission in PNG where $62,761 of public funds were used to pay the HighCom's son's fees for Saint Joseph's Nudgee College in Brisbane. The HighCom paid back $12,000 but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ceased all the recoveries without any explanation when he was recalled in March 2009. Or the personal phone calls and other extravagant expenditure totalling $11,929 at the Tokyo mission.

These and other discrepancies came to light following the proper assessment of the Auditor General's Report for 2007 by the Public Accounts Committee. PSC Permanent Secretary, Parmesh Chand is seeking explanations before decided what further action should be taken.

Sad When Domestic Violence Turns Political, Tovata Support But Where's the Work on Ethnic Interaction?

WHEN EVEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TURNS POLITICAL.  In what seemed to be a stand-off slinging  match, the Fiji Womens' Crisis Centre Shamima Ali claimed the Domestic Violence Decree promulgated last December was not in force and is not being implemented. Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khiayum disagreed, saying the decree is in force and is being implemented and Ali is misinforming the public.

To which Shamima replied: "You should check with the courts before slandering us. I never lie about these things. Why don't you talk to me? You all should get your facts right, right hand should know what left is doing ... the Womens' Crisis Centre has more integrity than most. We will never let our women down for our personal gains."

To which Aiyaz responded  that Shamima's information was incorrect. The Decree is very much in operation.  For example, the number of restraining orders that have been issued at all levels. "But if the FWCC believes the Police are not doing their job, they should inform them and or the Ministry of Women, and take a collaborative approach rather than making pronouncements through the media in the first place."

To which Shamima said they are not able to protect their clients as the courts and the police are not implementing the Domestic Violence Decree and are not aware of it.

To which Aiyaz replied: There has been extensive training conducted with various stakeholders which included lawyers, prosecutors, police, members of the judiciary, government officials and NGOs to ensure its successful implementation to protect women and children against domestic violence.

And that is how two highly educated people resolve or attempt to use (depending on your standpoint) even straightforward black and white issues in Fiji today. One must wonder  just how much of the dispute was political. The Decree either is, or it isn't, or isn't (being implemented) all the time.  It shouldn't take a slinging match to find out.  What hope is there for "genuine" dialogue on other important issues?

VANUA LEVU AND LAU SUPPORT GOVERNMENT. The Tovata Confederacy that comprisesthe provinces of Cakaudrove, Bua and Macuata in Vanua Levu, and the islands of the Lau Province to the east and south, have expressed support for Government putting development work before elections as its number one priority. The current government says it has put a focus on rural development and on effective service delivery to people in rural areas.

[Ed.note: I cannot understand why Government continues to present these issues as alternatives, with development having to come before work on elections can even start. Nor am I persuaded that physical and infrastructural development is any more pressing than work on social development, most especially with regard to initiatives aimed at helping inter-ethnic understanding. What work is going on in schools, the public service, the military, the churches and other religious institutions, and among the general public, to develop basic languages skills in Fiji Baat, Hindi and Fijian, and help improved understanding of Fiji's many cultures and cultural values?   Unless these at least start to change before 2014, what value is the elections?]

NEW FEATURE.   In response to the request of a reader, we have included a

Countdown to Elections 2014 feature at the top of the right sidebar.

Roadmap, Police Recruitment and CCF Issues, the "Rumours," Andy Haden, Indonesian Crafts, Naitasiri Imatanigasau

See new Quote of the Week in right sidebar.

THE ROADMAP. Some readers say no progress is being made on the Roadmap.  This is because they equate "progress" with electoral reform and elections, which are to come later. The misunderstanding could in part be due to the use of the shorthand Roadmap but its full title -- Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development 2009 to 2014 -- is a little cumbersome.

This item (click the hyperlink) outlining the main features of the "Roadmap" was published on this blog over a year ago! Lots of progress is being made on the sustainable socio-economic development front. Check them off against what has been done,  much of which has been published on this blog but not, unsurprisingly, by the anti-government blogs and the overseas media.  So much for their claims to balanced reporting.

POLICE STOP RECRUITMENT. Acting Police Commissioner Joeli Baleilevuka (photo) has stopped further recruitment and suspended transfers.  He said the 3,098 officers is sufficient and stressed that the Force must focus on its core functions. Referring obliquely to his predecessor, he said each member has free choice to exercise his or her own religious belief. Baleilevuka has started meeting all officers in the three divisions to set out new directions, starting in the Southern Division before moving over to the Eastern, Western and finally the Northern Division. The post of Police Commissioner has been advertised in the Fiji Sun by the Public Service Commission.

[At the time of the 1996, the last one I have been able to analyze, there were 2,728 police officers of whom 63% were ethnic Fijian, 33% Indo-Fijian and 9% women. While it is important to recruit according to need and the calibre of applicants, the police ethnic profile needs to roughly reflect society. The Fiji Police Force, more than any other source of employment,  used to reflect this profile. If if does not today, selective recruitment should remain open to ensure that it does. This is not racism; it's commonsense and what one would expect in a democratic society.] 

CCF ON TELENI, AND TELENI'S REPLACEMENT.  Extract from statement by the Citizen's Constitutional Forum: "We felt that the basic human rights principle of the Right to Equality and Freedom of Religion and Belief were endangered when racist rhetoric was allowed to go unchallenged. CCF believes that leaders in state institutions should set a good example to their followers on the basic principles of human rights. Freedom of Religion and Belief is a core human right entitlement which intends to achieve peace and harmony in the world through religious tolerance.

"Now that Teleni has stepped down voluntarily from the post we think that any reappointment to other working places in Government should be made through normal PSC procedures and proper and transparent processes.[It is. See above item.] Due consideration should also be given to the fact that all civil servants and military officers of Fiji need to set a good example to the nation by strict adherence to principles of human rights. "A diverse multi-racial and multi-religious country such as Fiji needs civil servants, and particularly those in position of leadership, who are unbiased towards race and religion." Extract.


CAFE PACIFIC.  I see Cafe Pacific has also  published my rebuttal to Tupuola's coup-within- a-coup" fantasy item published by Pacific Scoop. Thank you, CP.

 STICKY STORY. I see CoupFourPointFive is "still sticking" by its Victor Lal story that the Military Council has told the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, to quit, despite top-level denials. In fact, it claimed both Sayed-Khaiyum and Christopher Pryde, the Solicitor-General also condemned by the Military Council, had already packed their bags, despite them having been seen at work after they were supposed to be no longer at work, and three days later they were still there. The blog  also accepted a comment on its post that 90% of the Military are gay.  What next?  And who cares whether the military is one or  99% gay.

ANDY HADEN'S MESSAGE FOR NZ POLITICIANS. Former All Blacks captain Andy Haden who was in Fiji over the weekend for Air Pacific Celebrity Pro Am golf tournament has a  strong message for politicians back in New Zealand who are not supporting Fiji and its current situation.  Listen to the video.


INDONESIAN CRAFTSMAN TO HELP WOMEN. A collaborative partnership between the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women, and Poverty Alleviation and Indonesia will see the arrival of Mr Supriyono Fransiscus Xaverius to conduct Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops for bamboo, coconut and batik crafting from 6th September to 29th of October.  He will seek to enhance existing skills and more fully utilize natural resources as a means of creating an additional source of rural women's income. It is hoped the new products will sell on local and international markets. The initiative is part of the Roadmap to promote alternative and additional livelihood for women, especially in rural areas.

The two months training will be conducted in four training sessions comprising of 25 women per session. This will produce 100 trainers who will, in turn, train other women in their respective villages and communities. -- Based on 2010 No:1392/MOI.

FOLLOW UP ON THE NAITASIRI IMATANIGASAU.  Two busloads of men and women including chiefs of all 16 Naitasiri tikina (districts) converged at the PM's residence on Thursday evening when the chiefs presented their imatanigasau (traditional apology) for past indiscretions and pledged their support to the Prime Minister and his Government. In return, The PM said he was "very grateful for this gesture...that signifies unity as well as your appreciation of Government’s policies and vision."

“Today is a new beginning for the province and my Government. We should engage often in such forums to discuss issues that will benefit Fiji, especially our future generation. We need to emphasize to our people and children the importance of unity for it is the essence of prosperity. Successful changes will only happen when people are united over a common goal,” the PM said.-- Based on 2010 No:1389/MOI.

The apology was also made on behalf of Naitasiri high chief, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata who is serving a seven year prison sentence after being convicted for conspiracy to murder the Prime Minister. The delegation included Ratu Inoke's wife, Adi Lagamu Takiveikata.-- Based on Fiji Village.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

ANONYMOUS COMMENTS. Readers are again reminded that anonymous comments will not be accepted.  Clicking the Name/URL button and writing your pseudonym is just as secure as clicking Anonymous. If your comment has not appeared, please resend,  using your pseudonym.

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in www.connectme.com.fj/news/opinion. I thank Allen and Connect for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Sporting Feast

What is the possibility of having a sporting finals treat with the Deans and Digicel rugby and a Soccer BOG or Inter District finals all in one venue, and each as the main attraction on its own merit. Having marketed it well, we (Fiji) will benefit from the venture and have many levels of sports in one venue. A school-boy and Fiji rugby and soccer being held at the same venue and same day.. wow .. it will be a feast of sports .. . include a school boy soccer final and we will exceed ourselves. We could have the this in Rakiraki and give the people of Rakiraki to gain economically. And alternate the venue between Viti Levu and Vanualevu Levu. And then there is Levuka and we could develop the venue in the old Capital.

Sport is now big money, business that is. Just look at the MIC Show.. - the singers get exposed and my friends at Vodafone get a few loose change and they are able to give back to us free text and free calls. Yes rugby and soccer  can also enhance business, pay packet, advertising and economically  assist any place that has businesses, such as food stalls, taxis, hotels, pubs, dances halls, churches, food stalls, you name it.

The benefits are endless... just as long as it is managed well. And with all the minds combining and just like Adidas says.. nothing is impossible.

 ---------

  It's the Weekend.  You have a little time. Why not use the opportunity to

USE and CONTRIBUTE, SUPPORT and SHARE THIS BLOG? 

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Scroll down to SIX other Weekend postings.

Weekend Reading -- Scroll Down -- Six Items

And check out the comments. The posting Tupuola Speculates ..... in particular has a swag of them.

Media Ethics and Media Freedom Issues in Fiji

      By Stanley Simpson, News Editor, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.

This keynote speech by Stanley Simpson  was presented to the 1st Pacific Media Partnership Committee meeting, August 25-27 at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Those attending explored how to sustain a vibrant Pacific media.



The Fiji media landscape (as many of you know) has changed dramatically over the last three to four years, and especially over the last year with the enactment of the Media Decree 2010 outlining new and stronger guidelines for the media to abide by. We are all operating now under this media decree, while the censorship still remains for now. One of the major ethical issues that has confronted our journalists over the last year or so is how do we report and practice the principles of journalism under a censored environment?  Full Speech follows.

Australian Meddling Part of Agenda to Dominate Fiji

Tom Orsag 

in Solidarity

Curse of the Soli

By Alisi Daurewa

in the  Fiji Times*

The overarching objective of the People's Charter is, "to rebuild Fiji into a non-racial, culturally vibrant and united, well-governed, truly democratic nation; a nation that seeks progress and prosperity through merit-based equality of opportunity and peace". The proposed village 'By-Laws' under the Ministry of 'I Taukei' is a strategy to meet the objective of the People's Charter.

From Paramountcy to Equality: Constitutionalism, Dialogue & Ethno-Political Conflict in Fiji

Rev. Akuila Yabaki.

CEO of Citizens’ Constitutional Forum

(Concluding from last Saturday)

Dialogue & bringing people together

There have been a few attempts since December 2006 to bring people together to try and address the past problems of political instability. The major one was the NCBBF, which was established to bring people together to talk about moving the country forward. The process attracted considerable support, but it also attracted strong opposition by those  that refused to participate (including the Methodist Church). The Charter process attempted to address past conflict and provide potential solutions through Chapters such as “Ending the Coup Culture” and “The role of the Military”.

Bringing Fiji Back from the Cold

By Vidya S Sharma 

in Business-Standard

India must impress on New Zealand and Australia the need to engage with Fiji and persuade them to help Fiji implement a racially neutral polity.

Tupuola Speculates, Naitasiri Tailevu Support Govt Work, Coconut Reseach, Marist Forum, The Grand Old GPH

PACIFIC SCOOP  & TUPUOLA. Pacific Scoop has a well earned reputation for solid journalism. When it publishes opinions they are invariably reasoned and supported with evidence and insight. Until two days ago. When it published a purely speculative article (supported by not a shred of evidence or any indication of the reliability of  unnamed sources) about a supposedly looming Fiji coup-within-the-coup.

The article was written  by Tupuola Terrence Tavita, the Editor of the Samoa Government newspaper Savali. It is not Tupuola's first trip into virtual space and I doubt it will be his last. Stories are easy to write when you can pull them out of the air. Investigative journalism takes longer.

I draw the article to readers' attention, not for its content, but for the flood of comments it generated. I urge you to read them by  clicking here. At my last count, no one agreed with him.

The article does, however, raise the possibility of a coup-within-the-coup. This is nothing new. It has always been a possibility. Support for what Government is doing and trying to do seems to be increasing (see next two items) but Fiji remains a divided nation with enough "loose cannons"  to cause immeasurable harm.

The longer overseas governments, most especially Australia and New Zealand, continue to act in ways that work against Fiji's economic recovery and internal stability -- and fail to support the government's much needed reforms --  the longer the possibility of another coup will last.  This prospect should cause Australia and NZ serious reflection: if the 2006 Coup is unable to establish the conditions for long-term stability, it will not be Fiji's last coup, not by a long chalk. As one reader observed:

The next coup d’etat will sink the Ship and all of those on board.  Without a shadow of a doubt. It will be violent and many people will be killed.  That is what the International Community’s fiddling and stand-off is bringing on.

NAITASIRI CHIEFS visited the PM today to show support for the work Government is currently undertaking. Roko Tui Naitasiri Peni Sokia said their visit had been agreed to by the Provincial Council and the Bose Vanua.

TAILEVU CHIEFS. Last week, chiefs of Tailevu also visited Bainimarama to show their support. Provincial Council chairman Josefa Seruilagilagi said the people of Tailevu wanted to thank Commodore Bainimarama for the developments that have taken place in Tailevu since his Government took over in 2006. He said some of the projects that were planned by previous governments over the last 30 years had not been completed or even started.

SAVUSAVU COCONUT RESEARCH STATION. Government's decision to establish a new Coconut Research Station in Wainigata, Savusavu, has been well received by the Copra Millers of Fiji. Coconuts provide an income for over 100,000 people in Fiji. Chairman Ilisoni Taoba said the station would help to boost, improve quality and add value to production in Vanua Levu which produces 65% of Fiji's coconuts.  Ilisoni said it takes 6,000 nuts to make one tonne of copra that sells for $650. The same number of nuts make 500 litres of virgin oil that sells for between $2 - $5 a litre, or $1000-5000, double or more what can be earned from making copra. -- Based on 2010 No: 1346/MOI.

PM WELCOMES MARIST FORUM DISCUSSIONS. PM Bainimarama is hopeful that the Marist Brothers Old Boys Mobilized 2010 Forum in October to be held from 23-31 October will send a strong positive message about our country. He said contributions towards Fiji in anyway by former Fiji citizens and locals shows that individuals still care and respect Fiji. He added that the Forum (and the workshop on "Good Strong Government Structures" as a means of institutional structuring which he will be opening) will provide an opportunity for robust discussions on many issues pertaining not only to the school but to the nation as a whole.

THE GRAND PACIFIC HOTEL. Empty for 18 years, Suva's jaded and near derelict icon, the historic Grand Pacific Hotel, is set to be restored and refurbished at an estimated cost of $90 million when the PNG National Superannuation Fund purchase the building from the Fiji National Provident Fund in the next few days.

WEEKEND READING. Allen Lockington's column, Bringing Fiji Back from the Cold, Australia's Meddling Part of Agenda to Dominate Fiji, Akuila Yabaki's From Paramountcy to Equality (conclusion), Curse of the Soli, Media Ethics and Media Freedom Issues in Fiji.  

Normally published on Saturday morning, this weekend's readings, other than Allen's column, will be published at 3:45pm this afternoon to allow those without a computer at home to have a quick look. Allen's column will be published at the usual time.

Good for a Smile: Kava and US Cafe Culture

Good for a smile!

Fiji roots, culture available at Cafe Culture

Drought, New Diplomatic Missions, MSG, PSC and Public Entity Reforms, Cane Grower Protest

DROUGHT CONTINUES. Intermittent showers in the Central and Eastern divisions have replenished water sources but the dry spell continues to affect areas in the Western and Northern divisions, and it expected to last for the next few months. Water is being delivered to Rakiraki town dwellers and the Agriculture Department plans to dig more bore holes in the West, the worst affected region. Photo: Fiji Times.

FIJI SPREADS ITS DIPLOMATIC WINGS. Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola says the "discriminating and isolationist policies" imposed on Fiji by its "traditional allies and some regional organizations international organizations" have forced the "realignment of Fiji’s Foreign Missions to effect revised foreign policy priorities." It is in this context that Cabinet has approved the opening of Missions in Indonesia, South Africa and Brazil, in 2011.-- Based on 2010 No: 1370/CAB.

SELF SUSPENSION. Fiji has temporarily suspended itself from all formal meetings of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has announced. The move is to allow the MSG leaders the necessary breathing space and autonomy to resolve the outstanding issue of the chairmanship.

PUBLIC SERVICE SEEKS UPGRADE. The PSC is about to conduct a major review of minimum qualifications, skills and experience needed for entry and promotion in the public service. PSC Chairman Josefa Serulagilagi says changes in educational qualifications and the need to "recruit and retain the best and brightest" have been the main reasons for the review that is expected to be in place by January next year. Submissions are being sought from all ministries, departments and agencies. -- Based on 2010 No: 1381/PSC.

REORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC ENTITIES. Newly appointed Permanent Secretary for Public Enterprises, Elizabeth Powell, said the Ministry is reorganizing a number of public, government, quasi-government and partly-owned government enterprises, commercial statutory authorities and other government entities to improve management, increase efficiency and, where applicable, increase profits.    The areas affected mainly are roads, water supply, and health services.

Two other majority-owned entities, to be monitored by the Public Enterprises Ministry, are the Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited with core roles as managing mahogany forests and processing of mahogany, and Pacific Fishing Company Limited, in association with a joint venture partner with Bumblebee, has core roles in processing and exporting of canned fish both locally and abroad with the USA as the major market.

CANE GROWERS WANT FSC BOARD RESIGNATION. FCGA Secretary Bala Dass has  called for the resignation of the Fiji Sugar Corporation Board, saying its members should be held responsible for problems at the sugar mills and the failure of the mill upgrade. "Things were bad last year and promises were made that the mill would be improved this year with the upgrade program," he said.Former Fiji Labour Party MP Gaffar Ahmed supported the call, saying all the current policies of the FSC Board seemed to be "pro-miller" with growers' interests and concerns left largely unattended. "I'm not the only one that's fed up. Growers from all districts are fed up of the current debacle that calls itself the FSC board." he said.

PLEASE USE & CONTRIBUTE, SUPPORT & SHARE. (1) USE by Commenting (below), and visiting Na Sala Cava (right side bar); (2) SUPPORT, anonymously or openly, with "Subscribe" or by joining  "Followers" (left side bar); and (3) SHARE this posting with others. Just hover your mouse on the share buttons, click Email, Blog this!, Twitter, Facebook or Google Buzz.  Vinaka.

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.