Bare minimum!
The national minimum wage will increase to $5 per hour now. All I can say is it’s about time! So many big businesses in Fiji have been taking advantage of the system by paying their workers the absolute bare minimum legally in order to maximise their profits. Their hard working staff scrimp and scrape to make a living with what they earn while the bosses know full well their employees are worth so much more than minimum wage. Nonetheless the increase in the minimum wage rate is a step forward for our nation. It is crucial that whoever wins next year’s elections prioritises policies that further improve the livelihood of all Fijians and secure a brighter future for our children. Manavesi Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Sugar and minister
If I ever become PM just for an hour, my first and it might be the only directive I give, will be to the sweet sugar minister. Increase the sugar cane price to $1000/tonne. That will be $1 per kg compared with 10c per kg at the moment. Then I will resign. If not they can kick me out. I don’t care but every field will be planted with cane. Lease renewed and newcomers will all try to farm. No rocket science. Increase the price and you see the fun. A Shariff Shah, Savusavu
Education Act 1966
At last, the Education Act, which has been serving our nation for more than 50 years, is now being looked at. Many have come and gone while this Act was still alive and slowly losing its touch due to changes in other legislation and a major shift in the paradigm of education. I am sure the experts who have converged at the Pearl Resort will dissect this legislative document in such a way that all gaps and loose ends will be identified so that the review caters for those areas. As an educationist, I am looking forward to seeing the way forward on how the new Act will be developed, considering that a wider audience is involved in its review. Interestingly, the Act might be older than many who are currently present in the room for the discussion of this document. A quick check on this during the discussion will bring all excitement in the room and can be a good icebreaker. Generally, I have faith in all those involved at this stage to guide us to design an Act that will take us forward. Thank you, Minister for Education and permanent secretary, for initiating this. My best wishes. Rohitesh Chand, Kalokalo Crescent, Makoi
Road congestion
A lot has been said about the ever-worsening problem of congestion on Fiji’s roads and many good suggestions have been made including a train system, by-pass roads, staggering starting times for businesses and schools or curtailing the import of vehicles. I am glad that Government has commenced some studies on establishing a railway system to help relieve the pressure on our roads. There is one sure way of compelling people to take a proactive step in voluntarily assisting by cutting down vehicles on the roads, only during the peak hours. Government should introduce a levy at strategic locations along, for example Nausori to Suva where vehicles are charged a minimum amount of money if they travel through these points from say 6.30am-9am and 3.30pm-6pm. This would discourage workers from taking their vehicles to work. But this arrangement would require to be complemented by an efficient bus or train system. My two-cents worth.
Emosi Balei, Suva
