Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher,1599-1650)

Wednesday 12 January 2011

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."

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

@ L'Entente Cordiale and the EU...

These discussions are a great relief. How soon are they able to act bi-laterally to improve matters on the ground? In the area of Agriculture, provision of Veterinary Surgeons and assistance to farmers it is now surely urgent that Fiji receives expert assistance. Updating outdated Acts and legislation is obviously of prime importance.

Meanwhile, small animals suffer as greatly as the larger ones in Fiji. A shortage of drugs for animal husbandry is evident right now. On behalf of the canine and feline population of Fiji, may an urgent request go out? The SPCA West requires supplies of affordable and basic medicines. It needs them now!

Anon not said...

you are letting few anons through Croz. Delete them please

A plan said...

In the budget no money was given the FRU. Now after the FRU completely stuff up they get $3m with only the bosses (known targets of the military for being not pro military coup) having to step down.

Well I think i might kick off a little lottery for my local netball team. Our coach might get the sack (she is not paid anyway) and we wil have some cash for trip to Suva and a a party. Good times...anyone eant to buy a ticket ?

bollywood format said...

Croz
Love your new bollywood format. It rivals the indianised Fiji Times. And your cut and paste is improving to. Anyone who doesn't believe this coup is bringing great prosperity to the nation is just a poor desperate sugar farmer wondering where the sugar minister is?

Crosbie Walsh said...

@ L'Entente ... Please supply me with more details on the assistance that might be expected and the drug shortage for animals. How does this concern France, the UK and the EU?

@ Bollywood .. I don't understand what you are trying to say. What Bollywood format? What Indianised Fiji Times? What cut and paste? Is this all you think it takes to published this blog? Please elaborate. But I do understand your swipe at the problems of the sugar industry: they are all Bainimarama's fault. Get real!

Vets for the West! said...

@ L'Entente Cordiale and small animal drugs and Vet shortage....

Just confirmed the situation today again though anti-tick/flea medicine was available unlike last week. However, a plea was made for a Veterinarian to be permanently available in the Western Division.We counted small puppies (8) and kittens (over a dozen) all needing homes. A patient and long-serving Vet Assistant is there but no Permanent Vet Officer. In the past, assistance has been made available from UK/Australian visiting Vets to the SPCA West - which is served exclusively by voluntary help. Fiji's small animals deserve more than this and so do their taxpaying owners. In ten years or more, it has been a roller-coaster ride owning animals in Fiji. Expensive imported pedigree animals cannot receive the expert assistance required upon and after arrival. These are security dogs: highly trained in some instances and essential for the work they do. Large animals receive assistance through the Dept of Agriculture in Lautoka but again the service is haphazard due to shortage of trained staff. Any developments in Tropical Agriculture and Animal husbandry require full and reliable veterinary services 24/7 365 days of the year. All known local vets have long since left. One or more Vets remain in Fiji but doing other jobs. Surely, their expertise is required first in the field of their rare and expensive training? The SPCA in the West deserves a visit from diplomats who wish to support the good work being done on a shoe-string, out of sheer love for dumb creatures. They deserve recognition and support.

missing the main stories said...

croz
In your cut and paste of junta fantasy you are missing the real stories? Suggest you read Michael Field - his up to date articles on the real situation in Fiji might keep you better informed?

Crosbie Walsh said...

@ Missing ...

Thank you, Michael.

Laughing said...

@missing the main stories

So you say to read Michael Field for "up to date articles on the real situation in Fiji".

OMG, I am laughing so hard I can barely type. That is the best joke I have ever seen on this blog.