Politics
18th April
Education ministry aware of schools owing money to companies
THE Education Ministry has received complaints of schools that owe money to companies, says Education Ministry director finance Sukhendra Lal. Mr Lal reminded teachers at the Fiji Principals Association Conference in Suva yesterday to ensure...
$8.4m paid in settlements to Fijian workers
A TOTAL of $8.4million has been paid out to workers as settlement agreements through the Employment Ministry’s mediation services since it was established in 2011. This was revealed by the ministry’s mediator, Tomasi Keni, while making submissions on the UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation before the Parliament Standing Committee on Foreign...
17th April
Health and wellness of employees must be ensured above all: Kumar
FIJI’S Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Parveen Kumar says the health and wellness of employees must be ensured above all other considerations as industry, manufacturing and mining expands in Fiji. And at the same time, he said they must be conversant with international standards and ensure compliance in local operations to ensure occupational health...
Fiji denounces five ILO conventions, Committee told
FIJI has so far managed to enforce 29 conventions out of the 38 ratified under the International Labour Organisation, says Employment Ministry deputy secretary Puamau Sowane. Presenting the ministry’s submissions before the Parliament Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in Suva today, Mr Sowane said the ILO had abrogated eight of those conventions. This...
Ministry warns teachers against nationwide protest; Unions seek legal advice
THE Fiji Teachers Union is taking legal advice on an Education Ministry circular warning teachers not to take part in a planned nationwide protest next month. In the circular, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Education Alison Burchell said she had been alerted to the possibility of nationwide protest action by the Fiji Trades Union...
Principals reminded of their positions
SCHOOL principals were reminded that their positions may be revoked if they do not perform. Fiji’s Minister for Education Rosy Akbar said it was imperative for every school leader to perform to their best of ability. “Your six months probation is coming to an end very soon and believe me some of your positions may...
Take responsibility, principals told
“I THINK we were not ready for young people to take up leadership roles. We were not ready,” said Education Minister Rosy Akbar while opening the 123rd Fiji Principals Association Conference at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay Convention Centre yesterday. Ms Akbar made the statement after meeting the teachers’ unions earlier where she received numerous...
Be sensitive of beliefs, Akbar tells school heads
BE sensitive in the schools you lead, Education Minister Rosy Akbar told principals at the 123rd Fiji Principals Association Conference at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay Convention Centre yesterday. With an open merit system selection process incorporated by the ministry, Ms Akbar advised teachers that when posted to a particular school, they must also be...
16th April
Board looks at reviving beef stations
THE Fiji Meat Industry Board is looking at reviving beef stations across the country to address the current shortage of beef. This has been revealed by the board’s chief executive officer Steve Ting while making submissions before the Parliament Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights in Suva yesterday. “For beef , there is...
Sayed-Khaiyum clarifies speculations that FBC was controlled by Government
“NO one tells us what to do, the Board tells what to do and not the Government” These were the words of Fiji Broadcasting Corporation chief executive officer Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum when questioned before the Parliament Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights in Suva this morning. He was making submissions on the Public Enterprise...
No major renovations done in major abattoirs
THERE has been no major renovations done in the country’s two major abattoirs since the Fiji Meat Industry Board was established in 1974. Board chief executive office Steven Ting revealed this while making submissions in Parliament yesterday. He said the two abattoirs were located in Nakasi and Vuda in the Western Division. “The main purpose...
15th April
55 informal settlements surveyed by ministry
FIFTY-FIVE informal settlements have been surveyed out of the 64 that have been identified by the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources. Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Ashneel Sudhakar told Parliament the exercise started in 2015. Mr Sudhakar said 21 settlements in the Central Division had been identified as informal settlements with 17 in...
Need for improvement in slaughter houses
ONE of the major challenges faced by the Fiji Meat Industry Board is trying to meet consumer demands during festive seasons. This was revealed by the board’s chief executive officer Steven Ting while making submissions before the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights in Suva yesterday. He said there was a need to...
Fiji Hardwood operating without a CEO
THE Fiji Hardwood Corporation still operates without a chief executive officer for the last 18 months. This was confirmed by corporation chairman Adrian Sofield while making submissions before the Parliament Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights this morning. Mr Sofield said they have appointed Shakeel Maharaj as general manager with financing background to...
Koroisavou questions decisions made by party
THE decisions made within the board of the Social Democratic Liberal Party have been questioned. This is after certain board members have started questioning decisions that have been without their knowledge. Party youth president and board member Jope Koroisavou said some decisions have been made within the party without following proper democratic processes. “It is...
