Water boost – SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI
GROUNDBREAKING of a new 20 megalitres water treatment plant (FT 16/10/25). It is promising to see the Government’s realisation of its responsibility. This, in my opinion, like the Viria Treatment Plant, is just a part of the actual water supply crisis solution. However, the high turbidity in the raw water supply problem, in my opinion, seemed to be always the “excuse”, for low reservoir levels. Even during not so “bad” weather. And since it has been repetitive over the years, it seems no one has explored other addressing means. What happened to all of the government’s engaged global water supply “expertise”? Has WAF learned from the past or living in the past? In reality, it was simply bad governance. It is what it is.
Questions and answers – SUKHA SINGH LABASA
THE Prime Minister was asked about the parliamentary pay rise and he justified this by answering it was done because there was big reduction of parliamentary salaries due to COVID and done by an independent emoluments committee led by Lynda Tabuya, and there was a robust debate which agreed to the pay rise. A question on the sugar industry and the Sugar Minister replied: “You are complaining because you did not get reappointed to the sugar board”. I believe there was a 20 per cent decrease of the salaries, but the increase was over 100 per cent. I don’t think the answers given by the PM and Sugar Minister were satisfactory.
Diwali celebrations – RIKASH DEO AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
WISHING the people of Fiji a very happy Diwali and a prosperous New Year for 2025. God bless.
Minister for men – TAHIR ALI HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND
IT’S interesting to read in the Fiji Times about “Where is the ministry for men?” (FT 2/10). I feel gender balance for men may not be relevant. We are yet to see woman brutally asssaulting, or raping men, for them to seek help from a “men crisis centre”. Who will be the woman minister for men?
Choosing to be unemployed – FANTASHA LOCKINGTON GORRIE ST, SUVA
IT is not widely known that the approximately 16,000 workers who have been signed up for overseas labour schemes with the Ministry of Employment’s National Employment Centre (NEC) are not allowed to work while awaiting confirmation of overseas employer contracts and travel/ accommodation arrangements. In addressing local employers’ calls for the schemes to only include unemployed Fijians, the Ministry’s kneejerk reaction was for selection criteria to include this. A local person seeking work overseas who has been confirmed as being eligible must therefore forgo local job opportunities or lose his or her place. Where does that leave local employers who are already dealing with gaps in the workforce and rife absenteeism – Mondayitis, bereavement leave for their 6th grandmother, religious function demands or filling in for the child-minder who failed to turn up. Employers in the private sector are also dealing with the increasing costs of doing business (because efforts to address the Ease of Doing Business remains a joke with the Private Sector) and the consequent significant challenges with productivity (still in the “Too Hard” basket). It is also overlooked that bringing in foreign workers is a last resort because it is made extremely difficult by the current immigration laws and substantially increases labour costs – for immigration fees that often includes the higher fees for appealing against an initially denied application, and higher wages that often includes accommodation. The benefits are the skills needed, far higher productivity, negligible absenteeism and superior work ethics. This doesn’t mean that employers aren’t already paying higher for locals with the same skills, productivity and the best work ethics – it is simply that employers need far more local people in these categories, and they cannot be found. What remains a collective conundrum for local employers is how many of our local workforce – who usually cannot make it to work on Mondays, and that need to constantly ask for personal time off, can choose to work overseas where these poor work ethics are not tolerated, and where productivity can often determine how much you get paid. So yes, when our workers return, often earlier than they expected; we welcome them back into our workforces – if the vacancies are still there. The next time someone says they’re “unemployed” – we must take the time to consider why. Are they waiting for an overseas labour scheme contract, hoping to get selected into a rugby team nationally or internationally, looking after the children or the elderly of family members working overseas, or receiving sufficient remittances to not have to work? Are we even asking the right questions on unemployment surveys that reflect the current economic conditions? Because from the number of new supermarkets and eateries opening around the country – it appears people have money to spend even if many say they are unemployed. The point is – there are far deeper issues with why people are unemployed, the data available on the numbers of unemployed, and the mismatch with skills gaps and policies that address unemployment, upskilling and actual employer demand.
Dump fire – NISHANT SINGH LAUTOKA
JUST before midday yesterday, the city of Lautoka and its surrounding areas were once again blanketed in thick, toxic smoke, reportedly originating from the Vunato rubbish dump. As a concerned citizen and fellow Lautokan, I find it deeply disturbing that we are still grappling with this recurring environmental and public health crisis in 2025. Snaps shared by fellow Lautokan and concerned resident, Narayan Reddy, indicated just how severe the situation was. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Dump fires, whether deliberate or accidental, have been plaguing our city for years. And yet, despite repeated calls for action, a lasting solution remains elusive. These fires are not just an annoyance; they are a direct threat to the health of thousands of city dwellers, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Every plume of smoke carries with it the risk of long-term illness, degraded air quality, and diminished quality of life for all Lautokans. Now would be an opportune time for the Lautoka City Council to reassess its misplaced priorities. Rather than focusing on “closed-door” discussions and questionable development projects, I urge the council to “bulldoze” its efforts toward proactive waste management and fire prevention at the Vunato dump. The people of Lautoka deserve clean air and a safe environment. Furthermore, I echo the wider public sentiment in asking: When will local government elections be held? Without elected council officials, our voices are too easily ignored, and accountability remains distant. We need active and not “suto” leaders who are chosen by the people, for the people, and who will work in the best interests of our communities.
Sharp shooting – MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF NATABUA, LAUTOKA
YOU know, our values and discipline have really taken a blow. So much that we have completely lost the target when it comes to visitations to public toilets. From damaging property to graffiti, it has become so bad that some outlets have behaviour targeting messages. At one restaurant chain, the step by step message specifically advises the users what to aim for. To make it easier, they include a picture. But the picture does not include what you are thinking.
NEC questions – DONALD SINGH SUVA
Mikaele Leawere raises a good question in his letter (FT18/10) on why those listed under NEC cannot be employed by local companies instead of foreigners. The simple and plain logic applies here, Mr Leawere. Those registered with the NEC have done so only for the Australian and New Zealand schemes. Otherwise, they would be looking at the papers and applying for jobs, getting called for interviews and getting the jobs if your claim of them all being qualified is to be believed. Leawere wants fact checking. Okay. As a reliable tester, local company HRs can go explore the NEC list and see how many bite the bait of local employment promise.
Sugar industry – VIJAY SHARDHA NAND PAUL SLOAN RD, BAYVIEW HEIGHTS, SUVA It is evident that the issues cannot and will never be resolved until we start thinking outside the box. There is a solution, a very workable solution. It works in other sugar producing nations. This solution will solve the land use problems, encourage high yields and quality supply. Fiji should not run the sugarcane farmers as an industry but supplier to an organisation that makes money for the nation and its people. We must immediately cease the current payment system that seems lucrative but at the end of the day the farmer receives it after one year or so. We should pay as we receive. A farm grows and supplies say a 1000 tonnes of cane payment of say $40 per tonne 30 days after, not only puts money in the pocket of the farmer but the economy. In short, assuming $50 million was paid out for product supply, the cycle moves better, more motivated and so on. The role of the Sugar Minister would only be to ensure that the FSC turns that $50m into profit. Please politicians, stop torturing the cane farmers by using it as a political and racial football. If you can imagine, I am of the opinion this system is also the best to involve the landowners. 10/20/25, 5:21 PM The Fiji Times https://edition.fijitimes.com.fj/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=e4fad093-33c6-4e8c-8f9d-b19c68c8b31a 1/2 Our goalless youth will have to work for the tikina. The best system for Fiji just needs the will power and courage to implement it. But do the politicians really have the guts to think outside the box? I dare you.
Yes, democracy in action! RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
I AGREE fully with The Sunday Times editorial ‘Democracy in action!‘ (ST 19/10). It is indeed true as the editorial reminds us that after “16 years of media suppression and political intimidation under the previous government, that silenced dissent“ now citizens can once again speak their minds freely “without fear of reprisal“ even openly contesting and questioning what a government minister says. Credit goes to the Rabuka government for making that possible. I disagree with the view that PM Rabuka “made a bold statement“ at the Fijian Media Association’s Town Hall Forum in Ba when he claimed his government “walks the talk“. That’s Rabuka engaged in navel-gazing. In fact there is a strong public perception that his government is mostly big talk with little concrete action on many issues of national importance including good governance.
Democracy in action! – RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU
THANK you, editor-in-chief, Fred Wesley, for the bold and beautiful editorial titled ‘Democracy in action’ (ST: 19/10)! While reflecting on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s statement that his government walked the talk and that listened and did not just pay lip service, Wesley shed light on true democracy that is existing in Fiji, where Fijians have started to question authority without fear of victimisation. The argument between honourable Charan Jeath Singh, the Minister for Sugar, and veteran sugarcane farmer Arvind Singh symbolised how far we have come since the 16 years of media suppression and political intimidation under the previous government, that silenced dissent. Indeed, Wesley, during those years, few would have dared to confront a minister so openly, let alone in a public forum with the prime minister present, and yes, what unfolded in Ba was democracy in its truest form, people holding power to account, engaging directly with their leaders, and doing so without fear of reprisal. Healthy discussions are vital in a democratic society as they remind us that democracy thrives not on silence or politeness, but on dialogue, sometimes uncomfortable, often challenging, but always necessary. I quote Wesley: “As we reflect on that evening in Ba, let us all take pride in the fact that we now live in an environment where such debate is not only possible but encouraged. Democracy is not perfect, and it will never please everyone. But the freedom to question, to challenge, and to be heard, that is its heartbeat. We must cherish it, nurture it, and never take it for granted!” May we have a blessed week and Diwali celebration!
