THE women’s wing of the Fiji Trades Union Congress said it would go ahead with a planned protest rally in Suva despite a ban by the Suva City Council.
According to an article published by The Fiji Times on June 12, 1985, the president of the wing, Vasemaca Pickering, told a meeting that the council had approved a by-law allowing only religious gatherings at Sukuna Park.
The group planned to stage a march beginning at 9am from Rodwell Rd near the bus stand, ending with a rally at Sukuna Park.
However, the Suva District Office refused permission for the march to start from that location, citing traffic congestion due to the closure of Edinburgh Drive.
About 30 concerned parents, trade unionists, school principals, and teachers attended the meeting.
Speakers included Timoci Bavadra, president of the Fiji Public Service Association, Krishna Narayan and Joeli Kalou, secretary-general of the Fiji Teachers Confederation
Secretary of the women’s wing, Ema Druavesi, stressed that the rally was not political.
“We feel the pinch of fare increases as ordinary workers,” she said.
Dr Bavadra said the fare increases, introduced during a wage freeze, reflected poor planning and lack of organisation by the Government.
Mrs Narayan added that although the Cabinet had acknowledged the impact of increased school bus fares and promised relief, five weeks had passed without any response despite public concern.
Minister for Education Ahmed Ali said the ministry was working on ways to ease the burden on parents.
However, he noted it could take another two to three weeks before any measures would be implemented.
“The difficulty lies in not only finding solutions, but also in implementing whatever we would devise,” Mr Ali said.
Meanwhile, rising bus fares were already affecting school attendance across the country.
A survey by The Fiji Times found absenteeism rates of 25 to 30 per cent in some schools.
Suva Sangam High School reported 25 per cent absenteeism and suspended afternoon classes. Central Fijian School reported about 60 absent students, mostly from rural areas
Cathedral Secondary School also recorded a 25 per cent absentee rate.
A spokesperson said many absent students were from Nausori.
Principal of Vunimono High School Sumeshwar Yadav said a survey of 100 students showed inconsistent fare increases.
“Some bus companies increased fares by as little as 33 per cent, while others took advantage of the situation and raised fares by more than 90 per cent,” Mr Yadav said.
