Bula!
It’s the end of another week, and as we look ahead to the weekend, here’s a sneak peek at the headlines for Saturday, March 6.
NEWS
The big one tomorrow on Page 1 is from the International Labour Organization.
Civil liberties
Refrain from anti-union practices and instruct police and the armed forces to respect basic civil liberties and labour rights, the Fijian Government has been told by the International Labour Organization’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations.
The second report is on an interview with unionist Felix Anthony.
Interference
Government says one thing in the international area when signing conventions and acts differently at home, says National Workers Union general secretary Felix Anthony. While commenting on the International Labour Organization’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations for Fiji to refrain from interfering with the internal affairs of the union, Mr Anthony said there were conventions that discouraged these acts.
PAGE 2-3 – Related
Repeal or amend
Fiji has been urged to repeal or amend laws that require trade unions to lodge an application for assembly. The International Labour Organization’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations has stated this in its Application of International Labour Standards 2021 report.
Explanation
The Fijian Government has not provided an explanation to the International Labour Organization why trade unionists are barred from taking part in political activities.
Trade union
Government has been urged to ensure any suspension or cancellation of trade union registration is done lawfully.
Review list
Government has been told to review the list of essential services and industries in partnership with unions and employers and allow public servants the right to strike.
Country call
Fiji has been urged to refrain from anti-union practices, including arrests, detentions, violence, intimidation, harassment and interference in trade union activities.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
This popular column starts on Pages 8 and 9. There are five extra pages of letters inside starting from Page 18. A lot of views on different topics.
PEOPLE:
Life on wheels
In the popular People column you can read about life on a wheelchair. Being confined to 30 years in a wheelchair hasn’t weakened Bilitaki Vakaloloma’s spirit. A work trip to Viria, Naitasiri back in the early 1990s ended in a horrific crash that made him paralysed from the waist down. But from the waist up, life goes on.
OPINIONS/FEATURES
PROFESSOR BIMAN PRASAD:
Not surprising
The Economy Minister has said that in the 2020/2021-year, Government will borrow to pay for operational expenditure, including salaries of civil servants. This is not surprising. The 2020/21 projected annual expenditure is $3.6 billion. Of this, about $1 billion is for civil service pay.
RONEIL PRASAD:
Blacklist
There are currently twelve countries on the EU’s “tax haven blacklist”. Half of them are in the Pacific – American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Palau, Samoa and Vanuatu.
ILAITIA B. TUISAWAU:
Bitcoin
Bitcoin is making every investment asset in history look stupid. I own Bitcoin. I got involved early on when it was worth literally about $US1 ($F2.03) – wish I’d bought more! People mistakenly think the price of Bitcoin hitting US$100,000 is the ultimate aim.
TOMOKO KASHIWAZAKI:
Comfort and justice
Comforting survivors and assisting them to access justice continue to motivate Dr Losana Burua to carry out her work as clinical doctor at the Medical Services Pacific (MSP) post-rape clinic in Suva.
Dr SIVASELVAM SIVAKUMAR:
Coronavirus
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by infection with an RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus strain which is a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.
BJORN ANDERSSON:
Consequences
A year ago, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to engulf the world, we at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warned of dangerous consequences for the health, human rights and wellbeing of women and girls.
AJAY BHAI AMRIT:
Never judge
We must never judge people on face value as everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. These are true words indeed as life can sometimes be a struggle.
CAT ADORA:
Being vegan
Being vegan does not necessarily mean you are healthy. Just as you are about to learn, drinking water doesn’t necessarily mean it’s doing you good. What on earth could I possibly mean?
MOTORING AND PROPERTY GUIDE
There’s a lot to read in these two interesting sections of the newspaper today.
BUSINESS:
Confidence
Women need to have more confidence and put their hands up for leadership roles.
These were the sentiments of Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIA) president Pravinesh Singh after the Women in Leadership panel discussion yesterday.
Shipping Services Pte
Shipping Services Pte Ltd has rebranded its logo and restructured their company operations by introducing new services alongside existing ones which they were set to provide to their customers.
Tax administrators
Tax administrators from the region explored potential areas of further improvement in the compliance of the large taxpayer sector and how the compliance model could be applied to the sector during a webinar held recently.
Informal sector
The informal sector has grown significantly over the past 10 months caused by the economic impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
SM Masterclass
Fiji –based businesses will get Social Media Masterclass training on how to use social media content marketing and advertising to drive sales.
SPORTS:
Suva Zone 2
In Sports, the big one is about high schools athletics. Suva Grammar School has again retained their title as the Coca-Cola Games Suva Zone Two champion. In the girls’ division they scooped 23 gold, 25 silver and 18 bronze medals while the boys took home 27 gold, 20 silver and 20 bronze medals.
There’s more to read inside but you’ll have to get a copy to know what we are talking about!
Happy reading and we hope you have a great weekend!
