Father Kevin Barr was a “true man of the common people”, says Fiji Trades Union Congress national secretary Felix Anthony.
“A close friend of the congress and workers in Fiji, Father Barr pursued passionately the enforcement of a decent national minimum wage and a fair wage for sectors enlisted under the wages councils,” Mr Anthony said.
“Unfortunately, as the chairperson of these wages councils, he faced various challenges in enforcing the decisions of the wages council as some unscrupulous employers had influence in Government and his hard work was met with refusal of legislating any increase or upgrade in the terms and conditions of workers as per the wages council orders.
“He eventually resigned as chairperson of the wages council in August, 2012, but he did not let go of his agenda to improve the lives of the working poor.”
Mr Anthony said Father Barr left behind a legacy that generations would remember.
“The FTUC continues to promote the issues he passionately believed in.
“He rightly said ‘the economy must be people-centered. Everyone should have the basic necessities for a decent human life in terms of food, housing, health care and education, and be able to exercise the social, cultural, and political rights’.
“The FTUC family of unions in Fiji, the national executive board and workers join other institutions and persons to extend their prayers of strength to the families of Father Kevin Barr.
“May he rest in peace.”
Father Barr died on Thursday, September 17. His funeral service will be held tomorrow at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Suva.
