I did a little inquiry and found that students who graduated with diplomas in Customs from FNU that have found jobs are getting paid $3,000 to $5,000 p.a. What a shocker. Because of their inexperience and there are many of them around they simply sign the Customs entry done by the company clerk who has no diploma but 15 to 20 years experience.
The Customs entry or Single Administrative Document (SAD) is a legal document and is very important. The person authorised to sign this document should be competent and a person of substance. He or she is getting paid such a low wage yet the job being done is classified as high priority. This person liaises with Customs officers at the Long Room and they deal on a very high level. The Customs officer is well paid, gets many perks yet his or her counterpart over the counter earns peanuts.
It is time to lift the standard of the Customs clerks pay, this can be done together with FNU if they lift the quality of the curriculum of the Customs course. Sadly I see some of the people holding Diplomas in Customs manning front desks, or are doing other menial jobs in Customs Brokers offices, some even making tea. Someone said that at least they have a job - I say - is it fair?
Customs clerks in Australia and New Zealand are highly qualified, revered and earn around $60,000 to $100,000 p.a.
Market Fiji
I have a suggestion to all sporting bodies, business delegations, religious delegations, and other groups going overseas. How about taking a few cartons of Fiji water to quench your thirst with. No doubt there will be photo sessions that will go on to the Internet and the world wide web.
And if you are holding a bottle in your hand, you will be doing some marketing while you do your own thing.
How about the Fiji 7s team, can they use Fiji water to quench their thirst and of course the pictures will be televised all over the world.
And remember the slogan - the best water in the world!
Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen 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.
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