Politics

5th June

Ratuva: SODELPA (suspended) needs to re-image to win voters’ trust

The suspended Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) will need to “re-image” and reform itself to gain the confidence and trust of voters, says New Zealand-based political sociologist Prof Steven Ratuva. He said the future of...

3rd June

Nawaikula warned to seek proper legal advice

Suspended SODELPA parliamentarian Niko Nawaikula has been warned to seek proper legal advice before commenting on the ruling made by the Registrar of Political Parties last week. Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem cautioned the politician because his post on Facebook criticising SODELPA’s 60-day suspension had “garnered significant public attention”. Mr Nawaikula said the decision had...

2nd June

Dr Taga appointed PS for Lands and Mineral Resources

Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources Dr Raijeli Taga has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary for the ministry. Public Service Commission chairman Vishnu Mohan made the announcement via a government statement this afternoon saying the appointment followed a wide search of both internal and external candidates. He said the...

Restraining order issued against MP Sharma; ordered to surrender travel documents

Fijian Government Member of Parliament Rohit Ritesh Sharma was produced at the Nasinu Magistrates Court today charged with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. He had allegedly assaulted his wife last Sunday (May 31, 2020) at their home in Davuilevu, Nausori. Mr Sharma was released on a cash bail of $1000 with two...

31st May

MP Prasad suggests setting up a workers solidarity fund

Fiji is in the middle of a huge crisis and the impact on the local economy could be a contraction of between 15 to 20 per cent, says Opposition MP Professor Biman Prasad. He said that would mean that thousands of workers would be without jobs in the country. “That is why we need to...

Anthony: Government’s silence is deafening

The silence from Government amid the axing of more than 700 Fiji Airways staff members is “deafening”, says Fiji Trades Union Congress national secretary Felix Anthony. “Many employers, likewise, have done extremely well over the past decade, posting huge profits and expanding their businesses but found themselves on their knees when the lockdown occurred,” he...

30th May

Amendments will legalise breach – FLP

The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) says amendments to the Employment Relations Promulgation (2007) passed by Parliament on Thursday will legalise the breach of employment contract by Fiji Airways when it terminated 758 staff members. “It is, undoubtedly, a special legislation passed mainly to save Fiji Airways’ back,” claimed FLP leader and former prime minister Mahendra...

Changes in the law spark widespread anger

Changes in the law to label COVID-19 an act of God to “provide a more realistic work environment and conditions to ensure sustainability of jobs and businesses” has sparked widespread anger among worker representatives and social media users. Leading the charge is the National Federation Party and Fiji Trades Union Congress, who have questioned Government’s...

Reality of the matter … Fiji government revenue to drop by $1.5bn; 500 businesses could file for bankruptcy

Government’s revenue has decreased by almost $1billion this year and is likely to drop by almost $1.5billion in the 2020-2021 financial year, says Attorney-General and Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. He said if revenue decreased by $1.5b, that would be 50 per cent of the total annual revenue pre-COVID-19. “And so I wanted to highlight that...