A high-level Fijian Government delegation heads for Washington this weekend to try to save the jobs of 15-thousand Fijian workers directly threatened by Fijian trade union action in the United States. Pardon me, you might say. Do I need to read that again? You can almost sense the collective intake of breath around the nation. At first, Grubsheet couldn’t believe it either. But, unfortunately, Dear Reader, your eyes are not deceiving you.
It must seem to most people that the world has truly gone mad when it is the “hated dictatorship” portrayed by the anti-government lobby which is trying to save the jobs of ordinary people and the Fiji Trades Union Congress that is trying to destroy them. But make no mistake. That is precisely what is happening as the two sides slug it out to the bitter end in their ongoing dispute over labour reform. The FTUC has raised the stakes to a crazy level, Really crazy. Many people working in companies that export to the United States now stand to lose their jobs. How did it get to this? Allow me to explain.
The FTUC leadership of Felix Anthony, Daniel Urai and Rajeshwar Singh – the three amigos plus their second division faceless players – have long been at loggerheads with the Bainimarama Government, which wants comprehensive reform of the labour market. In essence, the Government wants to encourage more investment in Fiji – and more jobs – by freeing up the labour market in the same way that has happened in most of the advanced democracies over recent years. That means altering the current balance of power between employers on the one hand and unions on the other. It’s not about destroying jobs but trying to forge a climate to create more of them. The Government wants to reduce the ability of the unions and their leaders to dictate the parameters of the employment landscape. It wants to keep them at bay so that ordinary workers in individual workplaces can negotiate better employment conditions with their bosses. These are people who know each other best and realise, up close, what any business can tolerate financially for the spoils to be fairly shared. Not for some union “fat cat” with a big salary and a big car coming in and telling people how it’s going to be, which is the way it’s been in Fiji for far too long.
And make no mistake. The Government sees people like Anthony, Urai and Singh as “fat cats” who use their power to conspire against the genuine interests of their members and against the national interest. It is convinced – on the basis of the behaviour of these individuals – that they are more interested in feathering their own nests than in getting better wages and conditions for their members. For many ordinary workers, deciding who is right and who is wrong in this clash of the titans isn’t easy. There are so many claims and counterclaims that it’s often easier to ignore the static and just get on with trying to make a living.
Anyone who has ever tried to get a pay rise in Fiji knows that you can only ever get one if the company can afford it. And for the company to afford it, the business has to grow. It has to sell more or get more customers to make more profit in a market that is so competitive nowadays that it’s getting increasingly harder for bosses to compete.
The educated sophisticates among our readers must forgive Grubsheet for spelling all this out so simply. Yet this is pretty much all that ordinary workers need to know about the free market economy. You can only get investment and grow that economy if you can attract capital. Without capital, you can’t create jobs. Without jobs, you can’t feed your family or educate your children. And you stay in a third world rut. This is what the Bainimarama government says it is determined to pull the country out of – to create the right conditions to attract investment, grow the economy and expand the jobs market, to give every Fijian who wants to work a chance to improve their lives. This means reducing the power of the unions to demand wages and conditions that are unrealistic and simply can’t be met. It’s not rocket science. Any bright kid – and Fiji is full of them – can grasp the underlying principle.
Take the case of Air Pacific, which has had a remarkable turnaround since the Government busted the union stranglehold over its affairs. Many people thought our national airline was an endangered species, a flying basket case headed for a financial crash. What has happened? Air Pacific is now back in profit and – with sound management – can maintain its vital competitive edge in our collective national interest. Its national mission – and it borders on the sacred – is to provide the means to service the tourism industry on which the economy depends by bringing in visitors from overseas and keeping local jobs alive.
The reforms at Air Pacific have not cost a single job. In fact, there’s now a chance for workers to share in the profits of our national airline, to gain a reward for all the hard work and the resulting pride that goes into that work. There are also more jobs in the pipeline as the airline makes an investment in its new planes, saves fuel with better technology, and changes its name to Fiji Airways to better reflect its national origins. Fiji Airways is now a prized national symbol carrying the hopes of all Fijians for a better and more viable future. It is a work in progress, like the country itself, and it is inarguably stronger because of the labour reform that the government regards as essential in every other sector of the national economy. But what has been the local union response to these reforms? To stand and fight and to get the international labour movement – other unions also trying to maintain their privileges – to punish Fiji and punish it hard.
Last week, at the instigation of the FTUC, the Australian Council of Trade Unions ( ACTU) called for a tourist ban on Fiji. It was a direct assault on the jobs of ordinary workers in the tourism industry. Who does it hurt? Not Frank Bainimarama or his ministers. It hurts decent hardworking ordinary Fijians trying desperately to make ends meet in a harsh economic climate in which no-one seems to listen to them. The salt of the earth of this country have become pawns in a wider conflict, their union dues used to fight battles that they don’t understand and, worse, they can never win because the demands of their leaders cannot be economically justified. Without healthy profits, there is no money in the till to extract from their bosses without their bosses throwing up their hands and leaving Fiji altogether. It’s as simple as that.
Now, it’s no longer enough for the FTUC leaders to fight their battles in Fiji or Australia. They’re fighting them in the US by getting American unions to back them in an attempt to screw Fiji once and for all. Since 1976, certain Fijian companies have been entitled to export their products to the US market duty free under something called the Generalized System of Preferences Scheme ( GSP). Thirty nine Fijian companies currently benefit from the regime covering some 15-thousand workers. But if the unions have their way, all that will be coming to an end. Backed by the American labour movement – which includes some of the toughest operators in the business – the likes of Felix Anthony and Daniel Urai are pressing for our duty free access to be reviewed and ended. It is a lunge at the heart of the nation’s ability to keep pumping lavo (money) through the economy.
With all the other challenges around us, a Fijian Government delegation is obliged to travel to Washington next week to defend an attempt by the FTUC to stop Fiji from benefiting from the GSP scheme. If they succeed, 39 Fijian companies including some of the country’s most iconic brands – such as Fiji Water, PAFCO, FMF and Pure Fiji -will lose their preferential access to the US market and therefore their ability to compete with products from other countries.
A staggering 15-thousand Fijian jobs are at stake. There are many thousands more meals on the table at risk, kids being able to go to school, the difference between hope and despair for 15-thousand ordinary Fijian workers. And never mind them. What about the other people who depend on their pay packets? We know that for every Fijian woman in work, five extra people depend on her earnings. A national disaster is brewing, one that threatens the entire economy and Fiji’s ability to function as a proudly independent state.
We are being held hostage to trade unions and an unconscionable abuse of power by their leaders. It is unacceptable. Simply put, it is un-Fijian, an assault on everything we believe in about taking care of ourselves and each other. An assault on the yalo loloma ( the good heart) that is at the core of how we regard ourselves as a nation.
There is still time for Felix Anthony, Daniel Urai, Rajeshwar Singh and other union leaders to back off, to show that their sentiments are in tune with the rest of us and not with those who would wish our country incalculable harm. These are people who see themselves as having viable political futures, to be players in our future democracy. They need to examine their consciences and ask themselves if – with this action – they are demonstrating that they are fit to represent Fijians. More pertinently, we need to quietly ask ourselves whether they are fit to represent us.
Rajendra Chaudhry – the former Prime Minister’s son – famously described Felix Anthony as a “chihuahua” and a “howling banshee” a few weeks back as the once proud Labour Party disintegrated before our eyes on national television. We all had a good laugh but this is now well beyond a joke. So if you happen to see Felix Anthony on the street, tell him: “Bro, we cannot believe that you would do this to the ordinary men and women who you claim to represent. Yalo vinaka, give our nation a break. Stop trying to destroy our livelihoods or you have forfeited your right forever to speak for any of us. You have forfeited your right to ever be a mainstream political leader. You have forfeited your right to be regarded by the rest of us as a true Fijian”.
Still no disclaimer. Here, I’ll do it for you: GRAHAM DAVIS IS A PAID PROPAGANDIST FOR QORVIS COMMUNICATIONS. DON’T BELIEVE ANYTHING HE WRITES.
Marc, you really are a prize turkey. Can’t you read?
In the “About Grubsheet” section in the right hand column, the Qorvis connection is clearly identified. I put it at the bottom of the last piece because the web master hadn’t been able to change it in time. Before that, I didn’t work for Qorvis so there was clearly no need for disclosure.
You are a sad little man who is reduced to terrorising young island students in a part of the world with which you have no empathy and no idea. I have the emails from your students here and your behaviour towards them is scandalous.
My view – and the view of some of your fellow academics – is that you are unfit to continue as Head of Journalism at the University of the South Pacific. This extraordinarily undergraduate response to a piece that goes to the heart of Fiji’s continuing economic wellbeing is conclusive proof that you have totally lost the plot.
@ Graham,
Matey,,,,,, do not ban this Turkey from this forum. I am having a ball having a crack at him. You know what me ol’ mate, Digger Bill says about this Turkey? “THIS TURKEY IS REALLY THREE SHORT OF A SIX PACK, DON’T YOU WORRY ABOUT THAT, JIMMY”
How true !!!!!
Yes, it might me on the right-hand side of your Grubsheet blog but when the regime propaganda trash Fiji Sun unashamedly publishes your crap the readers will not know, for it is not in the main body of your text article – so yes, Marc is right – put it in the main article for if not, Fiji Sun will not publish this additional information – Go Make My Day – you are no better than Felix, whom you are accusing – after all, you will get this article published and pocket the payment in your Australian bank account – do you keep your money in your so-called believed Fiji? Oh, no, just exploiting the readers few cents to line up your own pocket by hoping to get in printed in the Fiji Sun – already vetted and added by Sharon Stone (Smith) in Fiji – go bare your soul and truth us the real truth – add this in the main body of the text – re your Qorvis paid consultation tag
You too are a turkey. The Fiji Sun has identified me in the last two articles they have published as a part time consultant to Qorvis. So what on earth or you on about? My tax arrangements are also none of your Goddam business. See you on the table at Thanksgiving.
It is none of my business but like your insistence with Marc reveal your payments from Qorvis and Fiji Sun for your consultancy and writings – you leech of a man – like Felix and others – feeding on our miseries by your bogus defence of our rights – have you written anything protesting against the workers decree – NO – you leech!
Oh dear, yet another confused and misguided person. I am destined to have a testing evening unless I go to bed right now. Goodnight cruel world.
@ Graham I would not worry about barking dogs keep going and keep doing what is good. You are a true son of Viti. This people like Marc Edge wont be long when they are gone. There is nothing in them about humanity or about Viti. So laugh at them forget about them….their have a spoilt kid syndrome and needs a good spanking from their parents…..not us or the public he he he……..live laugh and enjoy….reading their garbage because that is what they are…!
@ Marc Edge,
Go to hell, you cancerous virus. Piss off bugger!!!!
Marc
I have to say that it is rather sad to see you resorting to this sort of behaviour as a way of responding to what is clearly a serious issue being highlighted.
It is apparent that you have no interest or desire to comment on the substance of the article – perhaps it may be beyond the scope of your understanding – hence the need for you to resort to this as a means of attacking Graham.
Clearly you must have some difficulty in reading because on the right hand side of the blog under the heading “About Grubsheet” in the second paragraph just after the words: “Southern Cross Austereo television network in Australia” it is clearly said: “is a regional advisor to Qorvis – the global US communications giant …” The import of those words seems clear to me but it seems not to you.
It is beyond my comprehension as to why someone of your standing at the USP would resort to this sort of childish and petulant behaviour. I guess all that one can say in response to this is: GROW UP!
Believe me, I am well qualified to comment on the issue discussed. After all, I hold two degrees in Labour Relations. But I am not here to comment on Fiji politics or economics. I am here to shine a spotlight on the media, which includes blogs. The antidote to propaganda is awareness. If people realize they are being propagandised, they will be less likely to believe it. I feel that everything Graham writes from now on should have a disclaimer on it. If he won’t put one on, I will.
Labour relations, Marc? Are you joking? Your own “labour” relations within your department are a total joke. Your students are in open revolt and your fellow academics are lobbying to see the back of you.
The hubris you display here has persuaded me that the hubris your students report is entirely accurate. You say I should have a disclaimer on everything I write. I do. You don’t. You are a complete disgrace and totally unfit to be in charge of the tuition and tutelage of the region’s future journalists.
I have challenged you to a debate at USP on these issues at the time of your choosing. You have declined to respond but the invitation stands. I am in Fiji every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.
Accept my challenge or wear the tag of a coward. Go on, Marc, let’s get an audience of your students together and debate the future of regional journalism and the pathetic leadership you are providing. If you can’t accept the challenge, shut up.
Graham,
You delight in spreading lies about me from the safety of Australia. In Fiji, however, you will be held accountable. There were no fewer than three defamatory untruths in the first paragraph of your last blog attack on me. Peter Lomas was smart enough to take out two of them before printing it in the Fiji Sun, but the third will hoist you both with your own petard. I sent Peter the letter two days ago. I am surprised you are still spouting on about the sources of your information. You rely on students? I have a pretty good idea who the students are, and you are as gullible as you are vicious. I will let my lawyer do the debating. In court.
Marc, the journalist educator calls in the lawyers. You can dish it out, buster, but you can’t take it. Diddums.
I’ve told you that I am in Fiji for part of every week and have challenged you to publicly debate the issues. No response. Just threats.
It seems to me that you started this. I am merely defending myself. Like any bully, you just can’t take it when someone fights back. I will do so on my terms, not yours.
I would definitely like to be present for this. It would definitely be very interesting!!!
marc edge,
go climb a lemon tree and slid down, you are off topic
Mark Edge what a shit of a person you are -even now claiming you know who the students are? Blimy me you really keeping tabs on students to what punish them? Grow up- so far you beginning to show your true colours and the futher you continue to write your anger becomes more apparent! You certainly not the person to be teaching Pacific students at a University? Why don’t you just leave Fiji and go back to wherever you ran away from! USP students deserve much better than the likes of you.
Marc,
And you are the Head of Journalism in USP wow. I do not take sides in regards to your view on Graham Davis’s article here but what gets me is how you have stooped so low to label the author of the article as a paid propagandist. Whether Graham is one or not, I don’t give two qualms about it. What I would have preferred to read, is an articulate well presented argument against what Graham has presented here from yourself considering the esteem position you hold.
This is not personal, just a general disappointment considering I am a graduate of USP and have always held its academic staff in high regards.
Maybe things have changed, please prove me wrong.
I remember Felix Anthony when we worked together at Air Pacific at Nausori Airport back in the 1980’s. He was a union leader for the national airline back then, but now at the national level. To be honest, this guy is a pest and something needs to be done very quickly about his sabotage antics.
– 15,000 Fijians will lose their jobs !!
– 39 Fijian companies, including some of the country’s most iconic brands – such as Fiji Water, PAFCO, FMF and Pure Fiji -, will lose their preferential access to the US market and therefore their ability to compete with products from other countries !!
– A staggering 15-thousand Fijian jobs are at stake. These are many thousands more meals on the table, kids being able to go to school, the difference between hope and despair for 15-thousand ordinary Fijian workers. And never mind them. What about the people who depend on their pay packets? We know that for every Fijian woman in work, five other people depend on her earnings. A national disaster is brewing, one that threatens the entire economy and Fiji’s ability to function as a proudly independent state !!
Are we going to allow these three stooges to hold the country on a knifes edge?
And if I ever happen to cross paths with Felix the chihuahua, my ass am I going to talk to him. He will get one good one right up his crack.
I will leave it to the forum to decide on this.
Shameless pig, you are Felix.
FULL STOP.
Graham,
Do you have any data in relation to the percentage of the Fiji labour force that is a member of a trade union?
It has been apparent to me for some time that the upper echelons of the FTUC have had no interest in looking after the workers of Fiji but seemed to be more concerned about their own power.
During these difficult economic times in Fiji, it beggers belief that the FTUC would be asking other nations (or at least though unions in other nations to pressure their respective governments) to take punitive measures against Fijian businesses. I mean their action suggests that they are happy for Fijian businesses operating in the US market to suffer (with the potential to go broke), for workers to be laid off and made unemployed and for workers and their families to suffer. And for what and whose potential benefit?
Lets see (and hope) whether sanity prevails and that these most unwise men are brought to heel for their actions, which clearly is not in Fiji’s national interest.
Marc Edge, please go back to your country. I think it is Canada. Stop your Neo-Colonialism. This is a Fijian issue which requires loyalty to Fiji and an understanding of our history. Graham Davis is a Fijian.
Right on the money!
Felix, Urai and Rajeshwar are sowing what they will reap soon from this 15 thousand ordinary Fijian workers when they will loose their job.
This ordinary Fijian workers will take out their anger and frustration on them when it happens. I hope so they will not cook them in a lovo pit.
This is a very sad and dangerous path, after analysing a few things I’m inclined to assume something abit dodgy going on here. Firstly every mention of Fiji trade union will always somehow include The Australian union, we all know how they influence their government policies and politicians who inturn influences the region, abit of a knock on effect or in other words they basically indirectly controls some or majority of the regions policies both foreign and local. Talkabout power and money.
My guess is the union bosses in Australia, have tried to use their government to get their way and protect their interest but have failed now they’re using the Fiji trade union. Their interest being perhaps businesses whom probably pays them a healthy fee for getting their interests through certain policies all over the region, Fiji being a major one.
Now if one was to get hold of the Fiji trade union bosses bank account or assets and cross check it with their wages and their other means of finance perhaps like business and see if it adds up, if it doesnt and they have more then accounted for then chances are they’re being payed to do Australian trade unions dirty jobs. You only have to look at unions fatcats in the western world with their assets and high earnings to know. In their UK they threaten to derail the recent london olympics. Its clear that these so called union leaders have agendas that mostly have nothing to do with their workers but their own pockets and public image of power and bullshit workers rights they always claim to fight for.
In light of recent shenenagans by Fiji trade union leaders, I think a look at the unions constitution for a possible breach and perhaps suspension, expulsions or emergency votes for new leaders might be up. I think a covert investigating operation needs to be green lighted.
Sa dri yani…
Investigations of such nature I think are within the powers of FICAC. Maybe they are the legal and investigative people who can check.
But I really don’t know whether its fair for FICAC to undertake this job of checking their bank accounts. Maybe FICAC has some rules on this and can give us an explanation. May the reasons mentioned by Graham above is sufficient to have the investigations undertaken.
Hope FICAC tells us something.
Anyway, another very interesting piece for me to really ponder on – thanks Graham.
Oh my………….. there’s really so much to really think about prior to Elections!
Hope Felix or Urai respond to this article. Also hope the Chaudhrys responds so there can be some debate and small people like me can be assisted to understand the various sides of the story, etc.
Anyway, I pray that the journey before us will not be a very difficult and really rough one to take.
God bless and protect our beloved Fiji..
If this was Iran a Fatwa would be put out on the three scumbags.
Marc edge
Usted es un hombre muerto gringo.
There must be something bad in the labour reform to make the three stooges call for sanctions. Are their days of conning the workers coming to an end.
Graham; is it true that the Essential Services Decree breaches international labour standards and this has been confirmed by the ILO?
Terms of the decree
The decree was officially issued by the President of Fiji, Epeli Nailatikau, whose role as head of State is an essentially ceremonial one. Its main stated objective is to “ensure the present and continued viability and sustainability of essential national industries for the benefit of Fiji”.
Its terms are as follows:
All existing trade unions must re-register in order to continue their activities (art.6);
“All existing collective agreements” between employees and their employers are voided 60 days after the commencement of the decree (art.8);
Elections of trade union representatives are subject to government approval (art.10);
An employer may appeal to the government to cancel a representative’s election if he or she at any time has “reliable objective information and evidence” that “at least 35% of workers” no longer support that representative (art.15); this enables the employer to cancel any “existing or current collective agreement” (art.17);
“If an employer has suffered operating losses for two consecutive fiscal years, or two years of actual or expected operating losses in a three year period, it shall have the immediate right to renegotiate all its existing collective agreements”. If no agreement can be reached with employees, the employer then sends a proposal to the government, which may approve it as binding upon employees, replacing any necessity for an agreement (art.23);
Within “designated corporations”, employees have no entitlement to overtime pay on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays, unless granted by the employer (art.24);
Art.24 also abolishes the Wages Council’s jurisdiction over “any ‘designated corporation’ or essential national indsutry”;
“Disputes over discipline and discharge” are to be settled within the company, or by the government if ultimately unresolved, with no recourse to any court of law or any judicial institution (art.26);
“No job actions, strikes, sick outs, slowdowns or other financially or operationally harmful activities shall be permitted at any time for any reason”. Strikes are permitted only if employees have been negotiating unsuccessfully for at least three years for a collective agreement with their employer, and if they thereupon provide twenty-eight days’ advance notice of the strike to their employer and to the government, and if the government approves the requested strike. The employer may then lock out any striking workers and “unilaterally impose terms and conditions of employment”. Any worker taking part in an unauthorised strike may face a sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment, combined with a fine of up to $50,000. The government may order the end of any strike (or lockout) in “any essential national industry” at any time (art.27);
The decree prevails over any inconsistency with any existing law (art.28);
No court of law, tribunal or commission has any jurisdiction to examine the legality or validity of the decree or of any decision made by the government or by any employer in application thereof (art.30).
Criticism
No public protests or demonstrations are allowed in Fiji, but the Fiji Trades Union Congress issued a statement saying the Decree “offers major weapons to the employers to utilise against unions […] It outlaws professional trade unionists, eliminates existing collective agreements, promotes a biased system of non-professional bargaining agents to represent workers, severely restricts industrial action, strengthens sanctions against legally striking workers and bans overtime payments and other allowances for workers in 24-hour operations”. Attar Singh, General Secretary for the Fiji Islands Council of Trade Unions, said: “We have never seen anything worse than this decree. It is without doubt designed to decimate unions […] by giving [employers] an unfair advantage over workers and unions”.[9]
Amnesty International condemned the Decree as “a breathtaking abuse of fundamental rights [which] takes away nearly all collective bargaining rights in essential companies [and] virtually abolishes the right to strike”.[12] It added: “Fundamental human rights are at stake, including the right to freedom of association and assembly, and the right to organise. Amnesty International stands steadfast in solidarity with workers in Fiji and the Fiji labour movement in their struggle to defend their rights.”[13]
Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, stated:
“By going ahead with this Decree the Government has demonstrated the same lack of concern for the views of the international community as it has for the rights and aspirations of its own people. What is really essential for Fiji is that it change course now. That means reversing this and other restrictive labour decrees, a return to dialogue with trade unions and employers, an end to assaults on and harassment of trade unionists, and the immediate restoration of basic civil liberties.”[14]
Mahendra Chaudhry, leader of the Fiji Labour Party, published a statement in July which did not specifically mention the Decree but addressed the government’s broader policies in relation to trade unions:
“Fiji has ratified […] ILO Conventions and must act in conformity with them. It cannot promulgate laws that contravene these Conventions or go around physically bashing union leaders. […] Both the local unions and the international trade union movement have written to the government protesting against its anti-union policies and decrees. There has been no response. How does one take up issues with a government that does not respond to concerns raised with it, does not consult and thinks it can govern through arbitrary decisions, suppression of rights, intimidation and physical violence […]?”[15]
Shaista Shameem, former director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, who had at first supported the 2006 military coup, stated that “many rights have been completely diminished or even removed” by the Decree. She added that it showed the Bainimarama government was no longer interested in consensual policy-making.[12]
In October, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia, Ged Kearney, President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, said that, within the Commonwealth, the worst abuses of workers’ rights were currently occurring in Fiji and in Swaziland. The Commonwealth Trade Union Group called for condemnation of the Decree.[16]
Sayed-Khaiyum dismissed the criticism, saying much of it was based on “misinformation”, and on people trying to misrepresent the situation in Fiji.[17]
@Graham,
Your claims that this column is your opinion and has no connection to your work are getting weaker and weaker.
This article is literally paraphrasing the government statement given by permanent secretary for Industry and Trade Shaheen Ali earlier this week.
The government logic is flawed and this article is equally flawed.
Was it the Unions who imposed the Essential Industries decree on the people of Fiji?
Was it the Unions who removed workers rights with a flourish of Khaiyum’s pen?
No it was not. It was the dictator and his cronies who wrote the decree and by using the power of the gun forced it on the people of Fiji.
A clear analogy of your argument is this. A Dictator rapes a girl. A bystander sees the rape and reports it to the police. The dictator is then taken to court.
Are you really going to say it was the bystander’s fault the dictator is in court? Of course not it is the dictator who carried out the rape and so it is his own fault he is in court.
The ILO came to Fiji last week to investigate the Essential Industries Decree and to see whether it was as harmful as the Unions said. They came here with agreed terms of reference and an agreed list of meetings. The Dictator got scared of what they would find and chased them out of the country.
If the Essential Industries Decree is as good for Fiji as you say it is why didn’t the dictator allow the ILO to complete their investigation?
If the Essential Industries Decree is as good for Fiji as you say it is then the regime has nothing to fear at the GSP hearing.
As always you are just spouting government policy on these pages but in this case you are attacking the one who reported the crime and not the one who carried out the crime.
No independent thought here!
Those who consume Graham’s propaganda should at least seek out another perspective for balance. Make up your own minds.
http://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/unemployment-crisis-looming-how-the-essential-services-decree-will-eliminate-15000-jobs-cfdfiji-org/
An article written by Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara could hardly be regarded as a “perspective for balance”. If anything a balanced perspective is provided by Crosbie Walsh (with large input by two others) in his blog “The ILO Visit Termination: Causes and Consequences”. The latter is an objective assessment. The former cannot be regarded as objective.
The Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree 2011 (Decree No. 35 of 2011) has been in force for more than 12 months. One would expect unions to take a dim view of any attempts to curb their power just as employers would be unhappy if their bargaining power or rights are eroded (as has happened in Australia under the Fair Work Act).
The sky has not fallen down and life on earth as we know it has not ended in the 12 months or so that the Decree has been in place. Sure there are some issues with the Decree and the way it is framed. It might be more constructive for representatives of the Trade Unions to make representations to the Bainimarama Government on the substance of their complaint about the Decree rather than taking a wrecking ball to the Fijian economy as a way of attempting to restore their power.
The problem seems to be more to do with the political ambitions of the union leadership in Fiji and as Crosbie Walsh rightly points out – “the animosity between individuals … and the political stance they had taken against the Bainimarama government, ….”
That political stance extends to the current process for a new constitution and the diatribes of the Labour Party against that process (see the preliminary submission made by the Labour Party to the Constitution Commission – that submission appears to be a rehash of the submission to the PIF by the SDL, the Fiji Labour Party, the NFP and the United Peoples Party) is testament to the political interests of the elites of some trade unions in Fiji taking precedence over the interests of the workers.
The promised elections in Fiji are now 2 years away. Crosbie Walsh is right. It may have been better to wait and see what transpires after the elections – whether the Decree remains in place (probably under a different guise) or is replaced by another system that provides a better balance between the legitimate concerns of both unions and employers.
True Marc especially when its from Rokolui.
This is not the bible, old chap. I’m not Moses descending from the Mount with the fundamental truths for all time.
It’s my opinion. Not Qorvis. Not the Government. Take heed of it, share your own thoughts or go elsewhere.
I think I have been remarkably consistent over the past six years. So the notion that I am spruiking some kind of propaganda line just isn’t borne out by the evidence.
As even Marc Edge suggests, go and find other opinions if you don’t like mine. With just a click, you can be free of me.
Ayatollah, good to hear from you. Marc Edge has so many aliases on this website, it’s a kind thing he does to use bright red when he is using his true persona.
The link he provided above is to the Fiji Today blog that posts Roko Ului’s statements. so it’s completely objective of course.
Graham, I think you need to delete some of these comments. My Spanish isn’t very good, but I’m pretty sure that Castro issued a death threat earlier: “Usted es un hombre muerto gringo.” I think that means I’m a dead white man. I have no idea what “callate tu, hijo de puta” means, but it doesn’t sound very friendly. I am well aware of what a fatwa is, however, and I am frankly surprised that you would allow comments such as “faggot swine.” I think this just shows the level at which some of your readers are operating. Are you going to allow this?
@ Marc Edge,,,
Well, you are a old (comment edited) from Canada. We are here to comment on the topic of the day… and you are here to get personal with Graham and try to run him down.
You are like an AIDS virus trying to infitrate this forum. we are sane people here discussing real issues affecting us Fijians everyday lives.
Now, stop being a piglet and join the forum like an adult and debate out real issues.
Whatever differences you may have with Graham should be sorted out privately somewhere else. Not in this forum.
Staying in Fiji and undermining Fiji is just beyond forgiveness, the army should take charge. This is the very reason Fiji should always have a very strong army. Unions have been always used to further the political agenda of some elites. Hope they don’t succeed this time.
Marc, I have deleted some and I’ve modified some. I would remind everyone that there are limits to freedom of expression, especially when it comes to the litigious Dr Edge. But whether it is him or anyone else, death threats and homosexual vilification are in the same league as racism and obscenity on this site. All such comments are offensive and will be deleted. I must say that I haven’t detected anything remotely gay about Dr Edge in the conventional sense of the word but that’s another story.
Believe me, I am not even *remotely* gay. Not that it matters. . . .
Marc, yes, I know, you not gay. As in displaying any gaiety whatsoever. That was my point.
Then you certainly weren’t using the word in its conventional sense nowadays. Maybe from the Gay ’90s. As in 1890s.
Marc, just got around to reading what you said about me on your own blog. Intend to launch counter proceedings against you for being genuinely silly. BTW, you insist on saying that I am Australian writing from Australia. Half the week I am in Fiji. And I’m also Fijian, having been born in Suva. To introduce Dilip Jamnadas by name as one of my prime sources on what happens in Fiji is the cheapest of shots. But the upside is that I won’t be incurring the same costs defending myself against your ridiculous legal action than you will in launching them. See you in court.
@ Marc Edge,
By your own innuendo, you are GAY Marc.
Mark Edge who cares if you gay, pay or free! Our issues are about Fiji yours are about who ‘fingered ‘ you the wrong way-grow and get a life! Right now you just insignificant to our discussions.
Marc
Quire jugar con fuego, se preparan para quemarse
@graham is a sell out
Union leaders rape their members……………as they have for a long time (BMW’s)
Join the regime…….. rape and pillage public entities (FNPF, Airpac,etc)
Regime gives them heave-ho ……and cuts their lifeline….Stalinist, forced collection of union dues
……………………….
With thousands out of work………the country needs to take advantage of this cheap labour pool, to create a flexible, mobile, efficient economy…… to ultimately grow the economy……. “ITS THE ECONOMY, STUPID”
The quicker we get to and past elections and hopefully to some sanity the better of we will all be……….but that will require leadership,
good leadership
and the question is “what political system will allow that to manifest itself”
that is the 64 million dollar question
we await the CC draft
meanwhile:
the mongrels have started to jockey for best position….the race starts soon
@Mongrel
As you say IT IS THE ECONOMY STUPID
Well your beloved Dictator has provided over the worst 6 years of economic growthor rather lack of growth ever seen by the people of Fiji.
Poverty is on the increase
Unemployment is on the increase
Local investment is on the decrease
Have you noticed how Investment Fiji come out and say we are seeing record levels of investment but they are unable to give details. It is a farce.
Trying to blame things on the unions is a pathetic attempt to create a scapegoat for their own inability to put together a coherent economic policy for Fiji.
Graham the ever loyal servant is putting his own spin to the regime policy.
Yes you are right IT IS THE ECONOMY STUPID and on that basis the Dictator and Khaiyum are going to come last in the polls.
@Graham,
Graham just stop this farce pretending your opinions are independent of the Dictator’s. This article is virtually word for word the same as permanent secretary for Industry and Trade Shaheen Ali’s statement.
There is no independent thought here.
If you say you are not employed by Qorvis to write this pro dictator blog what are they paying you for?
Gram selout
Do you have anything or ideas to take fiji forward. We would like to know. You sound like kinivuai former sdl spokesman.
“callate tu, hijo de puta”…. means “Shut up, (and a swear I cant even “type”).
Just informing !
Graham, I think you should add another condition to the website like this:
Please keep your comments short, to the point and relevant to the discussion and also respectful. We reserve the right to remove posts that do not comply.
As for the union leaders in Fiji- seems to be pursuing another myopic exercise in futility.
Idi Amin
I am not a supporter of the SDL party and to be honest Qarase was not a particularly good PM. However, he was definitely better than what we have now.
This is what I would like to see happen.
1- The Military go back to the barracks
2- The President will appoint a caretaker government. No one planning to stand in elections can be part of the caretaker Government. I suggest that he draws from the NGO, business, legal and religious communities
3- We appoint a new Police Commissioner and Commander RFMF bth from overseas
4- Chief Justice is from overseas
5- The Constitution Commission Carries on as Planned
6- The Constituent Assembly is drawn widely from Society and it is televised
7- There is a referendum on whether we have the new constitution or we stick with the 1997 constitution
8- We have elections by October 2013
9- A commission of enquiry is set up to undo the damage done by Khaiyum decrees
10- We work with outside agencies to rebuild the economy
11- We set up an economic task force with Union and business leader representation
12- The RFMF undergoes a series of education programmes on the role of the military in a democracy
13- Public Order Amendment Decree is repealed
14- Media Decree is repealed
15- Sharon Smith Johns, Christopher Pryde, Tony Gates, Graham Davis all have their citizenship revoked
16- Qorvis is fired
17- Khaiyum is exiled to Rotuma for his own safety sorry Rotuma.
18- Bainimarama undergoes electric shock treatment to cure his megalomania
19- Enquiry into judiciary with a view to overturning convictions where necessary
@ Graham as a sell out-You forgot add no 20 to you list Dream on! Who let the COUP genie out of the ‘cakehole”? Now the ones that supported Rabuka crying foul sorry or maybe it should be fowl! in Tukais lingo ‘deni toa”
@ Graham is a sell out,
For you and you alone, go and live overseas and don’t come back……for your dreams will remain as…well dream.
What a shame that someone who still believes overseas personnel will solve the country’s problem…dream on….you have a long list of dreams…dream on…
Oh and I forgot…..may you bark in your dreams
Or as jukebox might put it…..squeel in your dream…you piglet.
You belong to the EDGES of the new era in Fijian Politics and will remain so, Mark my words.
@ Graham is a sell out…..
What nonsense !!!! Commander RFMF from Overseas??
Who do you have in mind?
Tevita Mara- the absconder who bolted when the going got tough?
Goodness gracious me!!!!
What sort of piglet are you ????????
Firstly the gov should deport marc edge
Second , fak the international community, round up all the union officials who are trying to destabilize the country , give them a good Buturaki at the RFMF barracks , then charge them for being an economic terrorist and undermining the Fijian state, put them in naboro for a very long holiday.
Oh dear. Cornered and boxing with shadows.
——
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
A complaint to the Media Authority
25 September 2012
Professor Subramani
Media Tribunal
Media Industry Development Authority
Suva, Fiji
BY EMAIL
Dear Professor Subramani,
I wish to make a complaint under the Media Industry Development Decree 2010 against Communications Fiji Limited, its reporter Dhanjay Deo, and its News Director Vijay Narayan. The Media Code of Ethics and Practice contained in Schedule 1 of the Decree sets out guidelines for interviewing and for what information journalists may and may not report.
Section 5, “Subterfuge” states:
Media must use straightforward means to obtain information. . . . Use of subterfuge, false identity, or covert recording to do so can be justified only in rare circumstances where the material sought ought to be published in the public interest and could not be obtained in any other way.
Section 23, “Interviews” states:
Interviews for print, electronic media, radio and television must be arranged, conducted, and edited fairly and honestly. Potential interviewees are entitled to know in advance the format, subject, and purpose of their interview. . . .
I wish to complain that Communications Fiji Limited and its reporter Dhanjay Deo used subterfuge in that he did not use straightforward means to obtain information. He also did not arrange an interview with me fairly and honestly, as he did not reveal the true purpose of the interview. In fact, he deceived me as to the true purpose of the interview. I also wish to complain that Communications Fiji Limited and Vijay Narayan published, by broadcasting it on CFL’s radio stations including Legend FM and FM96, and by reporting it on its website Fijivillage.com, information that was obtained by means that were not straightforward, fair or honest. Specifically, they published comments that I made not in an interview but which I instead made in a complaint to Mr Narayan about my interview with Mr Deo. The facts are as follows.
I received a phone call on 11 September from Legend FM reporter Dhanjay Deo, who asked if I would grant him an interview about the symposium on Media and Democracy in the South Pacific we had held at USP the previous week. I thought that was a bit odd because the symposium had ended five days earlier, but I was happy to oblige. It didn’t take long before I realized that Mr Deo was not interested in talking about our symposium at all, but instead was upset about an interview I had given to Radio Australia the day before. In it, I said that despite the lifting in January of censorship under the Public Emergency Regulation, it was apparent that journalists in Fiji are practicing self-censorship in advance of the first rulings from your Tribunal. Mr Deo thus used subterfuge to obtain an interview with me on a subject other than what he told me he would be interviewing me about.
Mr Deo complained during our interview that my comments had gone out internationally. Had I done any research to back up my claim of self-censorship? What proof did I have for this? No, I told him, I hadn’t done a scientific study on this, but I hoped to do so soon because it seems to be a big problem here. I have spoken with a number of Fiji journalists, I assured him, and from what I could tell there is a climate of fear and uncertainty in the country’s news media currently. Now that they are subject to possible fines and even prison sentences if they take a wrong step in their line of work, there seems to be a natural reluctance on the part of journalists to question authority. It’s not what you see in the Fiji media, I told him, it’s what you don’t see. He kept browbeating me and interrupting me. Where was my proof? Where was my study? I asked him to let me answer his questions, but he kept interrupting me, so I ended the interview. He called me back. I told him I would not speak to him again until he apologized for his rude behavior. He called back again, and again. Each time I refused to talk to him. I then sent an email of complaint to CFL News Director Vijay Narayan.
I soon received a telephone call from Mr Narayan. I told him I have never been treated so rudely by an interviewer in decades of giving media interviews, but he seemed to have no problem with the way his reporter treated me. Where did they get their lessons in interviewing, I asked him, from watching BBC Hardtalk? Suffice it to say I didn’t get very far in my complaint to Mr Narayan. I then noticed that CFL had posted a story on its website Fijivillage.com, headlined: “Claims made but no proper survey done.” (Attached) It criticised me for having no evidence to back up my claim that self-censorship was widespread among Fiji journalists. The story also played on CFL radio stations, including FM 96 and Legend FM. I felt that this was unfair “gotcha” journalism, and that I had been lied to about the purpose of my interview with Mr Deo.
Mr Narayan then compounded the unethical behaviour by CFL. I noticed in looking at the story online later on 11 September that it had been updated at 5:15 that afternoon. It added this line:
He also said that we were rude and thinks that we are running a newsroom like BBC Hardtalk.
I never said that to Mr Deo in my interview with him. I said that to Mr Narayan in complaining about his reporter’s rudeness. Can a news director add to a reporter’s story something said to him by an interview subject in a complaint about the interviewer? Not under my reading of the Media Code of Ethics and Practice contained in Schedule 1 of the Media Decree. I asked Mr Narayan to preserve the audio of my interview with Mr Deo, as it would prove that a published comment was made not in an interview with his reporter but instead in a telephone call of complaint to him. Mr Narayan informed me that the audio had been erased. He admitted what he did, however, in an email to me of 12 September, a copy of which is attached.
After addressing your complaint about Dhanjay, I resumed the original line of questions that Dhanjay had been unable to complete in his interview with you.
The problem with that explanation is that he did not inform me he was interviewing me. I was obviously, from what Mr Narayan quoted me as saying, not addressing the subject of the original interview. Instead I was complaining about his reporter’s conduct. I would never have agreed to another interview due to the agitated state I was in as a result of what I had just been through. Mr Narayan is thus guilty of unethical behavior for not arranging and conducting an interview openly and fairly and/or for failing to inform me in advance of the format, subject, and purpose of their interview, or even that I was being interviewed for publication and/or broadcast.
As if to confirm that they were conducting a vendetta against me, Communications Fiji Limited, Mr Deo, and Mr Narayan published another story the following day, a copy of which is also attached. It purported to show that self-censorship was not being practiced by journalists in Fiji by interviewing several journalists who denied the practice. It again named me and reported that the managers of several media outlets denied that I had ever spoken to any of their journalists. This subsequent story arguably amounts to deceiving the public in an attempt to further smear me. Journalists could hardly be expected to admit to such a shameful practice self-censorship. Their denying it hardly disproves its existence. Self-censorship among Fiji journalists has been loudly complained of by numerous stakeholders recently. For CFL and its staff to attack me on this issue is cowardly in the extreme.
I believe that what Mr Deo did on 11 September contravened Section 5, “Subterfuge” and/or Section 23, “Interviews” of the Media Code of Ethics and Practice contained in Schedule 1 of the Media Industry Development Decree 2010. I believe that what Mr Narayan did on 11 September also contravened Section 5 and/or Section 23 of the Media Code of Ethics and Practice. I trust that you will impose appropriate penalties on them and on their employer, Communications Fiji Limited. I hope that this would include the broadcast and publishing online of a sincere apology to myself for the unethical treatment to which I have been subject. The broadcast should be given the same prominence and frequency that the original story was given across all of CFL’s stations on which it was broadcast.
The standards of journalism in Fiji badly need improving. My understanding is that this is the intent of the statutory regulations enshrined in the Media Code of Ethics and Practice contained in Schedule 1 of the Media Industry Development Decree 2010. People need to be protected from the type of unethical and now illegal “gutter” journalism practiced by Communications Fiji Limited and at least some of its staff.
I would ask you to require your deputy, Matai Akauola, to recuse himself from dealing with this complaint in any way due to the enmity he has displayed to me in the past.
I look forward to receiving from you a confirmation that this complaint has been received and that it will be given due consideration.
Sincerely,
Marc Edge, PhD
Co-ordinator, Discipline of Journalism
University of the South Pacific
Posted by Marc Edge at 3:17 PM
@ Graham is a sell out,
Me thinks that you’re definitely a SDL/Qarase supporter. You seems to contradict yourself abit often. You propose to appoint police commissioner and Army commander from overseas, fella do you have any Idea of the effect that will have? Firstly that smacks right on the face of the locals by basically telling them you’re not good enough, This two top dogs are responsible for our national security and you want them to be from overseas, I’m interested to know exactly from what country would they be from??? The first thing a national security leader should have is loyalty and understanding of his/her people, second is the respect of his colleagues, that is the foundation where they basically build their orders and controls on.
Another one of your proposal is to enquire into judiciary with a view of overturning convictions, me think I smell an attempt to free Qarase there. It’s a proposal thats similar in preferred outcome to Qarase’s attempt to free Speight and his cronies. Your other ones to nullify Graham and co of their citizenship smells personal. Another one where the president appoints a caretaker government you don’t want anyone planning to stand for election to be part of it so basically you’re saying we want people with no experience to lead us in one of our most challenging times.
I’m not gonna elaborate on the rest because I’ve made my point, you see everything you propose is basically to return to the way life is before the 06 coup plus abit more, changing the players in the game with the same rules won’t help fella, we need to change the rules and the players will learn to adapt. That is what’s happening here, the government is re-institutionalising, changing the rules. In order to move forward we need to learn from history, you’re blaming everything wrong with our country, economically, socially, institutionally to the current government, fella either you’re blind or in denial because Fiji before the 06 coup all the way back to the 80’s was not ok, we were wearing the clothes of democracy etc but democracy we were not.
The very basis of democracy which is equal footings amongst each citizens let alone professions was non existence. We all knew corruption was not only alive but the king and what did we do we brushed it aside as ” Vaka Vanua” (Fiji style). Since independence we waited for a politician/political party to green light the fundamental change but with Aus/NZ pulling a few strings knowing a reliant Fiji is good for them, most of us thought that day won’t come. And so we’ve come to accept it as the way it is, Fiji style.
Now it took a coup and a visionary to railroad a new path and we have people like you shouting undemocratic and not fair, let me ask you were we ever democratic before??? Chiefs and Church minister pockets being filled by politicians in return for swaying villagers and followers to vote for them, particular race can only vote for their race, jobs given to who you know not what you know basis, etc etc is that really democracy.
Yes it’s unfortunate we needed a coup to make things happen but had we left it to the so called democratically elected leaders we would have been waiting till kingdom come.
When election comes the people will speak and my advice to former politicians like those of SDL is you guys have to start thinking of a new profession.
Sa dri yani.
Tobo o Mr Edge with his letter of complant to Professor Subramani!,
But i love this bit “The standards of journalism in Fiji badly need improving”! Dopy hasn’t it occured to you whose in charge? Are you going to be the one that improves the standard of jounalism in FIJI-if we are to go by the crap you put out on this website and the way you treat your students at University any wonder we have lower standards produced by jounalist. After all whose the teacher- May be you , yes just maybe you are the main PROBLEM! PhD any dope can get that at University these days-doesn’t mean anything in the real world of blood, sweat & tears!
The Fiji government certainly has a point in creating efficiency in regards to reforming the labor laws. It is sad that the unions have placed the innocent workers of Fiji as pawns in their battle against the government. Hope Fiji gets a positive answer tomm, the workers deserve the best.
Rgds
I have pondered over issues covered in this article very seriously and those shown to me by Marc and comments in both blogs.
Oh dear me ………………. a very complicated issue!
Perhaps one thing is true though – and I quote a Chinese saying that perhaps best describe the bottom-line for me which goes like this:
‘When two elephants fight it’s the grass that suffers.’
I only hope good sense will prevail and not let us ordinary people suffer too much – please!
So to all our Union leaders and Govt of the day and to all leaders of political parties and various organizations – please remember us ordinary people down here – and not let our burden be too heavy for us to carry.
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