The Fiji TimesLetters to the Editor – Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Silivere to the rescue

KUDOS to Virisila Silivere who — on Friday, February 3 — swam to a submerging car and saved the lives of six individuals — three adults and three kids. The courageous girl from Qelemumumu, Labasa deserves a bravery award for saving these lives. As for the adults, please cease being reckless and placing the lives of youngsters in danger. Be sensible and keep residence when there’s a flood. KOROI SEDUADUA Nasese, Suva

Rights of commerce unions

I AM stunned that the Fiji Elections Workplace is placing out a discover that it’ll conduct the elections of the Fiji Public Service Affiliation. My honest apologies if I’m lacking one thing right here or if this was at FPSA’ request. I had hoped that as commerce union rights are actually being restored, commerce unions can be once more free to independently conduct their very own elections as prescribed below ILO Conference 87 on Freedom of Affiliation and Safety of the Proper to Organise. A Conference which Fiji had ratified. All commerce unions have been having fun with this proper till restrictions have been imposed after 2006. Under are quotations from Articles 3 and eight of the Conference. What I really feel needs to be famous by the federal government authorities are underlined. Article 3 of ILO Conference 87 states that: 1. Staff’ and employers’ organisations shall have the correct to attract up their constitutions and guidelines, to elect their representatives in full freedom, to organise their administration and actions and to formulate their programmes. 2. The general public authorities shall chorus from any interference which might limit this proper or impede the lawful train thereof. Article 8 states that: 1. In exercising the rights offered for on this Conference employees and employers and their respective organisations, like different individuals or organised collectivities, shall respect the legislation of the land. 2. The legislation of the land shall not be similar to to impair, nor shall it’s so utilized as to impair, the ensures offered for on this Conference. Regardless of Fiji’s ratification of this Conference in 2002, these rights have been taken away after 2006. Actually, lengthy earlier than 2002, commerce unions of Fiji had been exercising these rights with none downside with the assorted governments. SUSANA TUISAWAU Wainivula Rd, Nasinu

Vendor beware

CAVEAT venditor in Latin means let the vendor beware. I realised that there are two completely different sized cans of Skipper tuna flakes in vegetable oil being bought; not common and enormous however one simply ever so barely bigger than the opposite. You nearly have to have an electron microscope to learn the burden on the cans because the font is miniscule. There are a couple of detectable variations within the labelling: the font of the burden for the bigger can: 180gms, is bigger than the smaller can, weighing 142gms. There’s a tiny yellow and black mark on the smaller can beneath the picture of tuna flakes which, when seen below a high-powered microscope, is an icon for disposing the can responsibly. The bigger can bears no such message. I discover every thing about this very sneaky, particularly the place some supermarkets are promoting three cans of the smaller one for a worth cheaper than the value of a single can. Whereas there’s nothing ethically mistaken with this advertising and marketing follow, per se, the customer might not realise the cans are smaller and thus needs to be cheaper, anyway. It’s a pity client watch canine couldn’t level this out to shoppers somewhat than having them discover out the exhausting manner. The query begs: is the previous conscious of it within the first place? Moreover, there must be some laws positioned on font dimension of print on labels. Presently, one wants superpowers to learn important data. It makes it very difficult, certainly, being a scrutinising client: one who could also be watching their well being, their pennies, their weight or the entire above. JULIE SUTHERLAND Tamavua

Truthful and sq.

I CONSIDER the resignations, terminations, investigations, and journey bans imposed on sure highprofile and politically related people to be truthful and sq.. You solely get again what you give. It’s so simple as that. The earlier authorities by no means left any chance of accusing, prosecuting, or terminating individuals with out regard for their very own drafted Structure. They need to be grateful that this authorities is following the identical Structure with the intention to take authentic actions. House Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua has reiterated that irrespective of how excessive one’s public standing is, nobody is exempt from the legislation (FT 06/02). Everybody, from the chief to the commoner, is equal within the eyes of the legislation. Former supervisor of elections Mohammed Saneem cried foul after his cease departure and questioned the legality of the immigration watch listing. Effectively, revered sir, this Authorities didn’t make any guidelines in a single day. All immigration protocols are the identical ones put in place by the earlier authorities. Surprisingly, the directive was issued by the Commissioner FICAC (Fiji Impartial Fee Towards Corruption) and the A-G, as there was a pending investigation towards Mr Saneem. Even the previous PM and A-G are lodging complaints towards the present eventualities. It’s all throughout the boundaries of the legislation. Consequently, the spiders are getting entangled in their very own net. What goes round, comes round finally. There’s a Biblical quote from Matthew chapter 7, verses 1-2 portraying the identical fact – “Don’t decide, or you may be judged. For with the identical judgment you pronounce, you may be judged; and with the measure you employ, it will likely be measured to you.” Amen! DINESH KUMAR BA

Ba ends Suva’s dominance 

CONGRATULATIONS to the Males in Black for setting a brand new platform for Futsal within the West after profitable the Further Grocery store sponsored Futsal event on Sunday. Ba’s historic is a brand new daybreak for different groups vying for the Futsal title. Ba ended Suva’s four-year reign in Futsal with a scientific 7-6 win on the Vodafone Area. Etonia Dogalau, who was named participant of the event, struck the profitable purpose following a long-range strike. Suva’s win over Labasa within the semi-final was marred by controversy, whereas Ba beat Tailevu Naitasiri. Groups like Savusavu and Tavua confirmed that with correct steering, help and sources they are going to be gunning for an upset as nicely. The way forward for Futsal is shiny in Fiji though a number of work is required to match the Solomon Islands. We want one-touch accuracy and ending. Thanks groups to your efficiency within the four-day event! I thank FBC for the protection! Vinaka vakalevu Indra Singh, Raymond Stoddart and Satish Narain for the great protection and commentaries! RAJNESH LINGAM BALGOVIND RD, NADAWA, NASINU

Board range

BOARD members in authorities statutory our bodies or business entities will all the time have a bias in direction of the federal government of the day. Simply by being chosen as a board member there’s an obligation to reciprocate whether or not it’s intentional or not. A suggestion shifting ahead on composition of board members, is it potential to ask appointments from the Opposition to be included as a member for every board. In doing so there’s stability and a chance to work collectively in areas of nationwide curiosity. Within the case of the CEO’s salaries that was highlighted final week, wouldn’t it have gone that far if there was a bipartisan board. Whereas the main events might defer in views, it’s an opportune time for his or her representatives to follow unity in range at board stage. SAILOSI NAEWE Naduru Rd, Nausori

Fiji’s stance

WHILE Russia continues to bomb and destroy civilian areas throughout Ukraine, there’s a robust name by nations all over the world to ban Russian athletes from attending the 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris subsequent 12 months. As a rustic pleased with its liberal democracy, Fiji ought to help the decision to strain the IOC that no Russian athletes needs to be allowed to take part in Paris so long as Ukrainian athletes are denied the correct to peacefully and safely reside in their very own nation. AREN NUNNINK Hooper St, Savusavu

Sugar trade

THE sugar trade has been the again bone of our financial system and our beloved nation for a few years, however sadly it seems to be struggling in current occasions. With the appointment of a brand new Minister for Sugar, who himself is a profitable businessman, there may be hope for a brand new sense of route. One stays constructive of open discussions and consultations amongst related stakeholders as a result of a manner ahead would require the dedication of all events. Personally, I want to see extra consideration given to the potential impacts of termites on sugarcane. How a lot of our cane does it have an effect on and what’s the financial influence? What options can be found each within the instant and long run? Driving previous the FSC compound is usually a heartbreaker when observing the circumstances of houses generally. At one time the houses of workers was so nicely maintained, together with the compounds. It was additionally probably the most multi-racial communities one might encounter and youngsters performed many alternative sports activities starting from soccer to hockey. All in all, this trade has been our spine and let’s do all we are able to to revive it, even when it means diversifying into different by merchandise. FLOYD ROBINSON Nasese, Suva

Cease the censorship

DAN Urai (FT 6/12) raises the purpose that he’s trying ahead to parliamentary query time. He would get pleasure from it much more if the Standing Orders, which stifle query time, have been to be amended. In the meanwhile, MPs need to submit all inquiries to the secretary-general in writing 4 days previous to the query being given with after all the query being given prematurely to the minister involved. This reduces Parliament to a stage managed efficiency with no alternative for spontaneous responses which might present us the aptitude of ministers to assume on their toes and the grasp they’ve on their portfolios. The 16 pointers in standing orders on what might or will not be included squeeze the life out of any potential query. Cease the censorship and let the motion start. TERRY HULME Australia

Above the legislation

YOUR headline — Nobody above the legislation — on the entrance web page of the February 6 version makes fascinating studying within the context that over the last 16 years, some individuals weren’t solely above the legislation, however have been legal guidelines themselves. BHARAT MORRIS Vatuwaqa, Suva

Immunity for perpetrators

NO one is above the legislation besides the perpetrators of the 1987 and 2006 army coups. The legacy of 1987 continues to be being felt and influencing present occasions. This is because of individuals who perpetrate such occasions being granted immunity from prosecution for his or her actions towards elected lawful authority. As writer George Orwell acknowledged in his sensible e-book Animal Farm on how the pigs grant themselves privileges and rights which they deny to different animals after they efficiently usurp the management of their farming institution. MELI MATANATOTO Nadi

Simply human

I JUST might think about the embarrassment and humiliation that their households and buddies need to endure. Come what might they’re people, identical to the remainder of us. Errors doesn’t spare anyone and a pat on the shoulder will cheer one’s coronary heart up. AREKI DAWAI Suva

Dylan’s take

MELI Matanatoto’s letter entitled Authorized Eagles is asking the correct questions on 1987 and 2006. Bob Dylan has a solution for him: “Steal a little bit they usually throw you in jail; steal loads they usually make you king”. PROFESSOR SUDESH MISHRA USP, Laucala Campus, Suva

Again to high school

THE 2023 faculty tutorial 12 months has begun. Kids predict a 12 months full of pleasure and journey. All the perfect to all the kids and academics in Fiji for this faculty 12 months. YASHNEEL KUMAR Paipai, Lautoka

Mother and father’ obligation

I BELIEVE Authorities has executed its half. Now it’s upon the dad and mom to ship their kids to high school. AMOL KUMAR Lautoka

Debt stage

I AM simply questioning why the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere didn’t remind the earlier authorities concerning the extreme debt stage. SUKHA SINGH Labasa