Bula
There’s a lot of attention focused on the big games tomorrow it seems. That’s when we take on the might of the Queensland Reds.
The Fijiana Drua are scheduled to play the Reds women in an Australian Super W clash while the Fijian Drua are scheduled to play Brad Thorn’s Reds in a Super Rugby Pacific competition clash.
So it’s going to be an exciting weekend of rugby union action for fans.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
We have seven pages of letters to the editor inside. Feel the pulse of the nation. Pages 8,9,20,21,22,23 and 24.
HEADLINES
Here are some headlines that made The Fiji Times’ edition for Saturday, March 12.
PAGES 2 and 3
National minimum wage
THE Government’s sudden review on the national minimum wage in election year proves its intention to politicise it, says National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad.
$5 an hour minimum
THE Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) wants a national minimum wage of $5 an hour, compared to $3.45-$3.65 per hour that is being proposed by a consultant hired by Government.
ERAB meeting
THE Employment Relations Act requires the Ministry of Employment to convene an Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB) meeting to consult with the social partners on the minimum wage, says Fiji Trade Union Congress national secretary Felix Anthony.
Small and micro business
THE burden on small and micro businesses who are struggling to survive should be considered when reviewing the national minimum wage, says Unity Fiji Party leader and former Reserve Bank of Fiji governor Savenaca Narube
Explosive device
AN explosive device dated back to World War II was detonated near Veivatuloa Village in Namosi.
PAGE 5
Human jaw
A human jaw dating back to between 2500-3100 years ago was discovered at Bourewa near Natadola Beach in Sigatoka by a group of researchers.
PAGE 6
Masks
Years one and two students would no longer have to wear masks.
FEATURES/OPINIONS
We have a list of top articles for your reading pleasure this weekend.
PAGE 12 – Budgeting money and budgeting carbon – By SENI NABOU
WHEN the new “mini” budget is handed down on March 24, I hope without the theatrical table-thumping arrogance from the government side, it will be four months ahead of the amended financial year that ends on July 31.
PAGE 28 – Fair wages and not election talk – By WADAN NARSEY
IN the last few weeks and totally out of the blue, the Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum, has remembered that the Government had promised in 2018 to review the minimum wages every two years. So for the second time now, an Australian Associate Professor of Economics at Western Sydney University (Dr. Partha Gangopadhyay) arrived in Fiji to deliver a new national minimum wage for Fiji (more on Dr Partha’s credentials below).
PAGE 30 – It’s not just prices – it’s incomes – By BIMAN PRASAD
THIS week brought the news that flour prices have increased 21 per cent. Logically, it will not be long before this price rise flows through to other essentials of daily life such as bread. This is just the beginning of an increased period of economic hardship for our poorest and low-income people and families.
PAGE 31 – Let Nasilasila play – By SATISH NARAIN
AMENONI Nasilasila runs out in the green and gold of the Wardens in Nadi in their first pool game during the Fun Flavour Super 7 Series three weeks ago and the can of worms is ripped open from all ends.
PAGES 32-33 – FT anniversary – By PEKAI KOTOISUVA
ACCORDING to Fijian legend, the great chief Lutunasobasoba led his people across the seas to the new land of Fiji where Melanesian and Polynesian mixed. The Fiji Times published an article on February 14, 1973 titled “Early Fijians traced back to S.E Asia”.
PAGE 36 – Boxers enter the war – By AJAY BHAI AMRIT
AS the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces gathers pace and more innocent men, women and children continue to be needlessly killed, we all wonder when this unfolding tragedy will end.
PAGE 38 – Women must thrive – By RAJNESH LINGAM
INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day isn’t just a day to celebrate how strong and capable women and female-presenting folk are, even in the face of adversity, but it’s also to mark how far we’ve come since the day was launched in 1911 and to keep pushing the dial forward when it comes to equality and making the world a better place for all genders.
PAGE 40 – Integration of cyberwar – By ILAITIA B. TUISAWAU
BEFORE the first Russian military boots and tanks crossed into Ukraine two weeks ago, Russia was already at war with Kyiv — a cyberwar.
PAGE 42 – Pet corner – Hookworms – By JO OLVER
SO many times we fail to hear to the plea of our four-legged friend’s and unintentionally put their life in danger. If you notice your dog or cat having diarrhea or losing weight – see a veterinarian as soon as possible as this may safe your pets from serious harm from hookworms.
PAGE 44 – Gender gaps – By REGINA NAIDU
THE development of gender planning is a legitimate planning tradition and its goal is emancipation of women from different kinds of subordination.
SPORTS
Page 100
Diary from Doha
Anushil Kumar’s Diary from Doha, Qatar – POSITIVE vibes all around! We had our first international friendly match since 2019 and the Digicel Bula Boys meant business.
Page 103
Queensland Reds
QUEENSLAND Reds coach Brad Thorn says he is happy with the inclusion of the Fijian Drua side in the Super Rugby Pacific competition and is looking forward to their match.
Back Page – 104
Thumbs up!
NEW Zealand women’s 7s coach Corey Sweeney has given the thumbs up for Fiji to host a leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in the future.
