Visa-free entry SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI THE Vuvale Union, is another bilateral framework partnership agreement between Fiji and Australia (FT 7/5/26). Such a formal establishment has already been publicly declared, with very minimal benefits for the Fiji people, in my view. Is this the continuation of Mr Biman Prasad’s negotiation? After all that Fiji has shared with respect to sports, education, labour, music, culture and whatnot, I am certain, the “free entry visa” was still and always be the stumbling block that has never been resolved. It seemed to be like a 75 per cent to 25 per cent agreement deal, which was nothing of the actual “Vuvale Union” reflection, in the iTaukei translation. Only NZ citizens are eligible, in my view. What has been the “friction” between Fiji and Australia? When will Fiji become eligible? Napoleon Bonaparte said, “A leader is a dealer in hope. One to lead a nation, only by helping it see a bright outlook”.
Doing overtime MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF NATABUA, LAUTOKA EXCESSIVE phone time not only leads to eye strain, neck pain and sleep disruptions but also other stuff like a family found out recently. It was around six in the afternoon when a wife (somehow) realised that her husband had not arrived from work. She asked her children to give a call and enquire if he was doing overtime. It is then when her children told her that daddy had come home long ago and was busy in the backyard garden.
Political violence DEWAN CHAND NAMADI HEIGHTS, SUVA CURRENTLY the world is engulfed in political violence of all sorts: big and small. The perpetrators use political violence as a tool to drive fear in the minds of the people they wish to subdue. It has affected millions of people who have been displaced from their native homes and are living in refugee camps elsewhere. What a tragedy! Recently the West Bengal election was held and the result was declared on May 4, 2026. It saw Mamta Banergee losing her own seat and her party came tumbling down. BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) of Narendra Modi won a landslide victory: 207 seats against TMC’s 80 seats. Nerve chilling political violence by the ruling TMC (Trinamool Congress) is now emerging. In the 15-year rule of TMC, the party had established a network of terror across the state. The people were too frightened to speak out against the government for fear of being crushed by the TMC terror machine. Dictatorship was rife: it was democracy in name. The goons of TMC regularly intimidated people, carried out extortion, indulged in post election violence, attacking BJP workers, burning their homes, raping their women, murdering some key figures, looting properties and vandalism was a common feature of West Bengal. Religious intolerance was at its height: Hindu community was generally targeted. Rohingya Muslim refugees kept pouring into West Bengal. Thus creating a huge demographic imbalance. Pressure for settlement, employment and other government services was immense. These displaced people were linked to a number of social problems including violence. Politicians used provocative language to incite violence and hooliganism. Terrorism was rife and brutal killings were common. Gang rape and mob lynching had become a common feature. There was no security for girls and women on the streets at night. Suvendhu Adhikari has just been sworn in as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal. He has a daunting task ahead of him: to remove the old terror network and establish peace and bring back sanity and communal harmony. The world can pray and hope for the best situation to emerge. Best of luck to Suvendhu Adhikari and his cabinet ministers.
All gone DONALD SINGH NAUSORI MOHAMMED Imraz Janif overheard some elderly iTaukei men’s talanoa at the Lautoka market last Tuesday and was somewhat taken aback hearing them say that there will be no Indo-fijians left in Fiji in less than 50 years. Now, let’s not jump to conclusions after reading Imraz’s letter (FT LTE 9/5). In 50 years, we won’t be all gone. The Fijians headed abroad these days are both iTaukei and Indo-Fijians. But I don’t have reliable stats on this. Anyway, in 50 years, interracial marriages might lead to both major races being reduced to lower percentages. Or maybe those elderly iTaukei gentlemen were playing a prank seeing Imraz, or maybe they were right. I mean we are still playing naming games after 56 years of independence! Keep eavesdropping, Imraz. You seem to be listening to substance.
Painful Mother’s Day! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU MY heart goes out to those mothers from Nanuku who lost their sons in the fishing tragedy two weeks ago. My heart melted as I watched the videos that were posted online. Tears flowed and floral tributes marked the solemn ceremony as the families paid their final respects to the nine fishermen who vanished at sea. While mothers celebrated the day with their loved ones, these mothers clung onto the memories of celebrating Mother’s Day with their sons. Across Fiji yesterday, many mothers woke up to flowers, laughter, gifts, good food and a welldeserved family celebration, but these mothers were greeted with silence and heartbreak. I extend my sincere condolences to the grieving families!
Classified files RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA AT the order of US President Donald Trump, the Defense Department released dozens of previously classified files on UFO sightings to provide what it called “unprecedented transparency” to the American people, though analysts said many of the documents had already been made public (Reuters/ The Sunday Times 9/5/26). What has not been made fully public with the same commitment to transparency is the Jeffrey Epstein files. In fact there has apparently been an attempt to sabotage the release of the JE files. And it has been even said that Trump was behind this covert attempt. Why is that?
Release the files DENNIS FITZGERALD AUSTRALIA THE Pentagon, under the commitment by Donald Trump, has released more UFO files for the public to view. The problem is that there seems to be a lot of black on the photos and they are blurry. This is a pattern that has been established from Trump authorised document releases. Why were they released? The stated objective would be to bring the spotlight onto the UFO files as, but the real reason would be to move the spotlight away from the Epstein files. Release the files!
$8 minimum wage NARAYAN REDDY LAUTOKA FTUC wants $8 per hour for un-skilled workers, what about those poor attachment workers who get $30 to $50 a week. These poor workers are made to do all the dirty work, long hours with no overtime and are not even provided any proper personal protective equipment. Our future road workers, aircraft engineers, marine workers, mechanics, electrical workers and many more are going through this problem. If the Government and FTUC really care about the workers’ right, then this is where they should start from. If this is not looked at, these young energetic workers will leave Fiji after they get proper training
Street talk RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU WITH reference to your street talk question (ST 10/05), “Do you think the Fijian Drua can reach the Super Rugby quarter finals?”, I reckon the Drua have a good opportunity of making it to the eliminations. They face the Waratahs this Saturday in Suva. A bonus point win is a must. The boys then play two away matches in Australia against the Western Force and Queensland Reds. The Drua beat the Force 24-22 at Churchill Park in round nine but lost to the Reds 21-6 in round six. However, the Drua have beaten the Brumbies away from home and if they get that sting, determination, vigour, enthusiasm and passion in the mindset, two away wins are possible and a spot in the top six, provided other results go our way. On the other hand, the Drua have not yet beaten both teams away from home, so a huge performance will be needed to record an away win. Let’s be positive about the team’s chances!
Minibus fares CAN the FCCC and LTA please check on minivan fares which increased after the fuel price from $3 to $4 each way, was this approved? The same also applies to taxi operators who use mobile phones as taxi meters. I am being informed that they have increased the taxi fare too. I am sure they all need a fare increase but at the same time the price regulating body needs to give a fair increase that the users of public service vehicles can afford. NARAYAN REDDY Lautoka
Where is the poll? WHAT happened to the Tebbutt Poll on the popularity of the Government. We have not seen them since the last election. The Government is doing such a good job that they do not want to boast about its popularity with a poll, it appears to me. My concern is, what will the people of Fiji do without this Prime Minister? JAN NISSAR Sydney, Australia
$8 an hour I SUPPORT the FTUC for campaigning for $8 an hour as the minimum wage rate. It’s a shame that government ministers are sitting on high salary bands and we poor are struggling. I guess Lynda Tabuya and Lenora Qereqeretabua are aware of this hardship. When they were in Opposition, they used to harp about the minimum wage rate. So it’s time that Government increase the minimum wage rate to $8 an hour. A weekly wage earner is not able to survive on $240 a week which is $5 hourly compared with $300,000-plus. JAHEED BUKSH Korolevu
Minimum wage $8 an hour is proposed by FTUC and some in Government, so if $8 is approved then more tax for Government, more union fees for the union, prices of goods and services will go up again, just like the long loaf bread price increased from $0.65 to $1 after the last two minimum wage increases. So the fact will always remain, poor will remain poor! GEOFFREY CHAND Nasoso, Nadi
What to wear? THE attendees at the Met Gala, were wealthy, or at least wealthy enough to give a large amount of money to charity. Well done. Most of them thought the theme “Fashion is Art” was a call to go to the “dress up” box and finally wear something that their mum had described as “no way, that’s too silly”. Some of them should have listened to their mums. DENNIS FITZGERALD Australia
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