Police stop union discussions with PAFCO……. It was not even a negotiation but a general discussion of workers concerns………. despite assurances by the government to the US that unions can work freely in Fiji….

FTUC deplores police action which stopped union meeting

Posted at 00:20 on 20 October, 2012 UTC

The Fiji Trades Union Congress says it deplores the actions of police officers who stopped a meeting between members of the Congress, union members of the Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) Limited and PAFCO management.

The FTUC’s National Secretary says the meeting began Friday morning at 10:15 am and at 11:15 am police officers marched in, disrupted the meeting and said they were under orders from Suva to stop the discussions

Felix Anthony says they were then informed the meeting could only continue provided the police officers were present during the discussions, a demand that was refused.

Mr Anthony says its still faced with authorities disrupting trade union work concerning basic human rights including workers’ rights despite assurances by the government that they can work freely.

The FTUC was meeting with PAFCO management to discuss issues faced by workers in the fish canning factory which were brought to light during one of their recent meetings with workers of PAFCO in September this year.

The FTUC strongly condemns this action taken by police and seeks an explanation on the legitimacy of their behavior, and demands that the names of those from Suva who had ordered such actions undertaken by the Levuka Police be revealed.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International           PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

Fijian Government Welcomes New ILO Visit on Revised Terms

Statement from the Attorney General

The Fijian government has a policy of openness and transparency to outside scrutiny by organizations such as the International Labour Organisation. We welcome such visits as long as they are conducted by an independent delegation with no predetermined outcomes and a focused agenda. The ILO delegation in question was not “ejected”, “expelled”, “deported” or forced to depart Fiji in any way. In order to make way for the next ILO visit under the Terms of Reference provided to the ILO delegation on Monday, they were asked to leave at their earliest opportunity. The Terms of Reference are being released separately. The Fijian Government will be pleased to welcome an ILO visit that will produce an objective evaluation of the issues set out in the Terms of Reference.  Such an ILO visit will be welcomed to Fiji if they arrive tomorrow or anytime in the future. Terms of Reference for ILO Delegation Visit: TERMS OF REFERENCE Scope of the Mission (a)      To review the impact of the Essential Industries Decree 2011 (“Decree”) on essential industries, in particular – (i)      Whether the aims and objectives of the Decree are in conflict with the fundamental rights of workers and employers in an essential industry; (ii)    Whether workers in an essential industry have been able to collectively organise and form unions; (iii)   Whether workers in an essential industry have been able to reach collective agreements with their employers; (iv)  Whether workers in an essential industry have been able to collectively agree with employers on a fair means of resolving employment disputes; (v)   Whether the workers in an essential industry, in effect, now have better terms and conditions than what was prevalent before. (b)      To assess whether Fiji has adequate laws and processes to effectively investigate, prosecute and adjudicate complaints of assaults, intimidation and harassment by any person, including any trade union official; (c)      To review the terms and conditions applicable for public servants, in particular, whether public servants have the right to form and join trade unions, and whether they are entitled to the fundamental rights and principles at work; (d)      To assess whether public servants have recourse to have their individual grievances addressed by an independent judiciary; (e)      To assess whether unions representing public servants are prevented from negotiating terms and conditions for public servants; (f)        To assess whether trade unions, workers and employers are able to hold meetings and associate, in light of the removal of the Public Emergency Regulations; (g)      To assess whether complaints made against the Fijian Government are with respect to concerns of all workers in Fiji, or whether such complaints are only made by a select few trade unionists for their own personal, political or pecuniary interests; (h)      To genuinely assess the situation of workers and employers in Fiji, without simply heeding to what is being stated by a select few trade unionists (as was done by the Committee of Experts and the Committee on Freedom of Association); (i)         To discuss with Government officials on the various reforms undertaken by Government to preserve and create jobs for workers, to sustain industries essential to Fiji, and to improve living standards of all Fijians; and (j)         To assess Fiji’s commitment to ILO Conventions, in light of the recent ratification by Fiji of numerous ILO Conventions. Schedule of Meetings of the Mission Instead of just meeting the executives of FTUC, FICTU and FTA, the visit must also meet directly with workers employed in essential industries. In particular, they must meet the workers representatives in industries such as the airline industry (Air Pacific), factory workers representatives, workers employed in financial and banking sectors. They must also meet numerous other trade union officials recommended by Government and the employers, rather than only meeting with the executives of FTUC and FICTU. The visit must also meet with the employers in essential industries, including Air Pacific, employers in the banking and financial sector (FRCA, ANZ, Westpac, BSP, Bank of Baroda, Bred Bank), telecommunications industry (FBCL, TFL, FINTEL), and the public utilities industry (FEA and WAF). They must also meet with the Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of FICAC, and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Fiji women’s groups condemn ban on their advertisments

Fiji women concerned by media self-censorship

Posted 31 August 2012, 9:53 AEST

Women’s rights groups in Fiji have raised concerns about freedom of expression, saying they’ve been prevented from publishing newspaper advertisements which highlighting issues about the constitution review process.

Shamima Ali says Fiji’s two daily newspapers told them to tone down the language in the ads (Credit:  Reuters)

 Fiji women’s groups condemn ban on their advertisments

Women’s rights groups in Fiji have raised concerns about freedom of expression in Fiji. (Credit:  ABC)

Shamima Ali, co-ordinator of Fiji’s Women’s Crisis Centre, has told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat the nation’s two daily newspapers told them to tone down the language in the ads.

“One of them wanted to have a meeting to tone down the ad, which we refused to do, and a spokesperson from there said ‘I hope you understand’,” she said.

“The other said ‘sorry we can’t’, after deliberating on it for nearly two and a half days.”

The review of the constitution is taking place ahead of planned democratic elections in 2014.

Ms Ali says the ad follows a press release on their concerns over the process, which was also largely ignored by local media

She says the newspapers are stifling debate by their self-censorship.

“Critics, as well as supporters of views should be, this is the time for the debate and discussion around this issue, and they should be published and the media should be free to publish it,” she said.

“This should be easy, because they’re always calling for us to place advertisements in the paper, and there’s nothing in there that was seditious or in any way would have brought the country down or created uproar…or anything like that.

“It’s just ordinary citizens who represent constituencies of women and so on who are expressing views that perhaps might be expressing view that are opposing those of government, or who are supporting of government.”

No action from Police on complaint lodged by Felix Anthony against Commodore Frank Bainimarama. Fiji Justice is once again exposed as wanting.

Bainimarama reported to police in Fiji

Posted at 01:42 on 06 August, 2012 UTC

The Fiji Trades Union Congress leader Felix Anthony has reported regime leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama to the police.

He says he filed the report last month with Lautoka police.

Mr Anthony alleges military officers including the interim Prime Minister threatened and assaulted him and his colleagues.

This follows Mr Anthony’s claims last year that he had been punched and kicked by at least five soldiers, leaving him with a damaged eardrum and bruising.

Mr Anthony says he has had difficulty trying to get medical reports from Lautoka Hospital where he was examined after the assault.

The military earlier denied the allegations, with its spokesman saying if the complainants can give proof of an assault, it should be to the police.

Police have yet to confirm to Radio New Zealand International whether an investigation is underway.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

Chinese Newspaper on human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Fiji?

NGO coalition in Fiji urges gov’t to practice what they preach

Source: XINHUA | 2012-8-2 | ONLINE EDITION

SUVA, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) — The NGO Coalition on Human Rights ( NGOCHR) in Fiji on Thursday urged the government to practice what they preach for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

NGOCHR Chair Shamima Ali made the call in a press release while expressing its welcome to the rebuilding of diplomatic relations between Fiji, Australia and New Zealand.

The coalition hopes both Australia and New Zealand would hold fast to their earlier stance towards Fiji and adhere to the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, Ali said, adding Fiji was far from achieving this.

Australia and New Zealand on Monday announced they are restoring diplomatic relations with Fiji that have been suspended since tit-for-tat expulsions of each other’s top envoys in 2009 after the 2006 military coup in Fiji. The decision was made following the trilateral foreign ministerial talks in Sydney, the first of its kind since February 2010.

Ali said”While we believe that it is certainly a step forward for Fiji to be on better terms with our neighbors, we know that there is a lot of work to be done before Fiji reaches international human rights benchmarks.”

Fiji’s military rule and leadership was oppressive for youth, that the rule by decree went against the principles of good governance, an honest and critical examination of the role of a few youths in the 2006 coup as defenders of human rights.”

Youth Say Fiji Citizens Need to Walk the Democracy Talk Tuesday, 10 July 2012, 11:46 am Press Release: Citizens Constitutional Forum

(For Immediate Release)

9th July2012

Youth Say Fiji Citizens Need to Walk the Democracy Talk
Accountability in leadership! Citizenry responsibility! Action that goes beyond talk and dialogue!

These are the changes that Fiji needs now as three of Fiji’s Youth leaders joined South African Youth Activist Amukelani Mayimele at the Citizens’Constitutional Forum and USP School of Government, Diplomacy and International Affairs Youth Public Lecture held at the USP AusAID Lecture Theatre last Thursday, 5th July, 2012.

The three, Mr. Tura Lewai, Ms. Roshika Deo and Ms. Filomena Tuivanualevu, put the Fiji “youth in democracy”context to Amukelani’s presentation, who not only recounted South Africa’s democratic experience but illustrated how important it is to have a voice in mobilising people for change.

According to Amukelani,“South Africa’s Constitution is a very good one but it is only for South Africa drawing from it’s unique processes and it is not a “one size fits all” document and that all Fijians must do the same and participate in the current process to determine their own!”

Amukelani again added that “Change needs belief, leadership and mobilisation and to fight against unreasonable issues until they become reasonable.”
The CCF is a non-government organization that educates and advocates for good
governance, human rights and multiculturalism in Fiji. We are not aligned with any political party.

The 100 plus who attended the public lecture witnessed for the first time, Fiji’s youth exercise a fundamental freedom of expression and opinion and according to the three Fiji presenters the experience “was painful, frightening, exhilarating and liberating.”

For the first time since 2006, youth voices through the three panellists were heard openly and publicly expressing critical views that stated“Fiji’s military rule and leadership was oppressive for youth, that the rule by decree went against the principles of good governance, an honest and critical examination of the role of a few youths in the 2006 coup as defenders of human rights and the urge that all young people to take the lead in change by having a vision for a better Fiji, and to pursue this fearlessly with courage and persistence.”

Akuila Yabaki CCF CEO said, “The public lecture event was a historic occasion for Fiji’s youth and that on the back of the two day CCF Youth Dialogue held in Nadave bringing together Provincial youth leaders, Civil Society youth representatives, Ministry of Youth representative and Youth Activists, a very clear message is coming through that Youth representation is mandatory for nation building and the move to being the voting age to 18 years will breath new hope for Fiji.”

The CCF CEO added that,“If we are to be truly inclusive then representation must extend to include youth in decision-making at every level.”

In the Question and Answer session more of the young people at the forum took the opportunity to make comments on the State of youth, the future for youth and the need for all of Fiji to move forward.

Akuila Yabaki voiced the thoughts of many at the forum in adding that, “Freedom for Expression is a fundamental freedom in the process of democratisation and we should be demand and create these spaces especially now as we embark in the Constitutional process leading to elections in 2014.”

Also attending the forum were representatives of various Youth organisations, Youth Activists, members of the Diplomatic Corp, members of the public, Constitution Commissioner Mr. Satendra Nandan, and the Minister for Youth and Sport Mr. Viliame Naupoto and the Attorney General Mr. Aiyaz Said-Khaiyum.

……………………….
Reverend Akuila Yabaki
CEO – CCF

The report shows that people need to be educated on good governance, human rights and multiculturalism in order to achieve stability.

Lack of understanding cause for political instability – CCF

17:25 Today

CCF chief executive, Reverend Akuila Yabaki.

http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/493/lack-of-understanding-cause-for-political-instability—ccf

Taken from/By: Google Report by: Devendra Narayan

The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum has revealed the lack of understanding amongst people is the main cause of political instability in Fiji.

CCF chief executive, Reverend Akuila Yabaki says Fiji continues to experience a high level of political instability in just over 20 years.

He says the root cause of this is lack of understanding on good governance, rights as citizens and the importance and benefits of a multicultural society.

“While the survey shows that significant ground has been made through our advocacy programme to change attitude on good governance, human rights and citizenship, it also validated need for continued advocacy in order to built inclusive society which acts responsibly and recognises the rights of all.”

He says the study based on i-Taukei and Indo-Fijian community shows that there is still a lot of gaps in terms of understanding and acceptance when it comes to equal rights.

The survey called ‘Scratching the Surface’ was done on 781 people of Ra, Tailevu and Naitasiri as people of these three provinces were actively involved in the 2000 coup.

The report shows that people need to be educated on good governance, human rights and multiculturalism in order to achieve stability.

PRESS RELEASE: Hibiscus King and Youth Activist protests US Congress Bill

PRESS RELEASE: Hibiscus King and Youth Activist protests US Congress Bill

DATE: 21st January 2012
A Fiji based Human Rights and Youth Activist has joined thousands of Activists world wide to demand the removal of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the US Congress and its US Senate companion Bill, the Protect IP Act (PIPA). Peter Waqavonovono who is also the Vodafone Fiji Hibiscus King 2011 has called the two US Bills “a stain on Internet Freedom worldwide and an egregious overreach of authority”.
The purpose of these bills is to make it harder for websites to sell or distribute pirated copyrighted material such as movies and music as well as physical goods. Even most of SOPA and PIPA’s strongest opponents applaud the intentions of the legislation while deploring what it might actually accomplish. SOPA and PIPA target websites whose servers are hosted or whose domain names are registered outside of the U.S. Though it is unclear how the bills would ultimately be enforced if they became law, critics argue that domestic sites could be slammed with SOPA/PIPA-related lawsuits, and that the increased legal costs involved in running a website would raise a higher bar to founding an internet startup. “Existing U.S. law already allows the government to seize the domains of domestically hosted websites, but it first gives websites a chance to take down infringing content that may have been posted by the site’s users” says the Hibiscus King
“If passed, SOPA and PIPA will severely affect Internet usage and the notion that the Internet should be Open and Free. Since many Operators of Internet search engines, aggegrators of online content, large online retailers, software developers and even Gaming companies are based and operate from within the United States, when they start monitoring their users and content, it will destroy Internet Freedom worldwide. Young people in Fiji depend on a Open and Free Internet to continue to speak their mind, join advocacy campaigns, and socialize. The effects on the Online Gaming Industry will also seriously affect Online Gamers here in Fiji” says the Hibiscus King. “Activists depend on a Free and Open Internet, with SOPA and PIPA, Activist sites and blogs may be too expensive to manage and monitor”
With discussions in Washington about SOPA and PIPA underway, Internet Giants Wikipedia and Google openly showed their disgust with this new legislation. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said on Wednesday in a Facebook Status update  “We can’t let poorly thought-out laws get in the way of the internet’s development. Facebook opposes SOPA and PIPA, and we will continue to oppose any laws that will hurt the internet.”
The Hibiscus King, Peter Waqavonovono has encouraged youth in Fiji to speak out on SOPA and PIPA and demand that the Internet stays Open and Free. In a Facebook Status update, Peter Waqavonovono officially joined protests against SOPA and PIPA saying “In the past months, from the Arab Spring to the global Occupy Movement, we’ve seen first hand how the Internet can galvanize, unify and change the world. SOPA would require search engines, payment processors, ISPs, and ad networks to block access  …  I say no to SOPA and yes to Internet Freedom”.
Waqavonovono and the YPCN are also planning with youth activists from around the Pacific and Fiji to write to the US President Barack Obama, to request he veto’s the two Bills if it passes both houses. It is expected that many young people and activists will also join Waqavonovono in voicing their support for a Free and Open internet.
—
YOUNG PEOPLES CONCERNED NETWORK                                 www.ypcnfiji.com – ypcn.sec@gmail.com                                                                             The Young Peoples Concerned Network FIJI  is a group made up of strong minded and strong  willed young people of Fiji who are concerned about issues that affect them and understand the importance of having their voice heard and taking direct action to shaping positive change.       

The Australian union says it will break off negotiations with Qantas on Tuesday if the company does not help secure Mr Scott’s release.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-10/pilot-arrest-in-fiji-strains-union-relations/3459764?section=world

A union says the arrest and imprisonment of an Australian pilot in Fiji may put its relationship with Qantas in further jeopardy.

Air Pacific pilot Shalend Scott, 37, has been in jail for a week, charged with unlawful access to documents.

The Australian and International Pilots Association is already in a dispute with Qantas, but the arrest of Mr Scott in Fiji may make matters worse.

It says Mr Scott, who is the secretary of the Fijian pilots association, was arrested as part of an anti-union crackdown.

Qantas says Mr Scott is not an employee and his arrest is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Qantas owns almost half of Air Pacific, which, it is alleged, helped the Fijian government draft a tough new anti-union decree.

Documents appear to show Air Pacific paid a US law firm to draft Fiji’s new Emergency Industries (Employment) decree, which critics have described as an anti-union crackdown by the country’s military government.

The decree has been widely condemned by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and human rights groups.

Qantas owns 46 per cent of the Fijian airline, and two Qantas directors also sit on its board.

At the time the allegations surfaced, a spokesman said Qantas had no involvement in the day-to-day running of Air Pacific, and Air Pacific did not return the ABC’s calls or emails.

The Australian union says it will break off negotiations with Qantas on Tuesday if the company does not help secure Mr Scott’s release.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs says Mr Scott is getting Australian consular assistance.

More on the Fiji Gibson Guitar deal with the company accused of paying apparent bribes of between $315,000 and $390,000 each year since 2006 in cash and donations of expensive guitars to the Rainforest Alliance . Federal raids on their wood stocks and everyone pointing the finger at Gibson as the dodgy guys. Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz had worked for months to pull off the Fiji deal, including giving a $5,000 guitar to Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama last summer.

Full Story at http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111002/BUSINESS/310020051/For-guitar-makers-prized-woods-pose-quandary?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

Two weeks ago, Gibson Guitar abruptly canceled plans for what was to have been a major business announcement: the launch of a partnership with Fiji to become the island nation’s exclusive buyer of mahogany to make the Nashville company’s high-end guitars.

Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and his supplier had worked for months to pull off the deal, giving a $5,000 guitar to Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama last summer as a gesture of good will.

But the Fijian leader’s trip to Nashville didn’t materialize, the announcement was canceled and a hurried explanation from Gibson said the negotiations were continuing.

The on-again, off-again deal between Gibson and Bainimarama — a military strongman who has taken control of many of the island’s resources and denied free elections since a 2006 coup, according to human rights groups — illustrates the uncertainties facing guitar makers such as Gibson.

With worldwide rain-forest acreage dwindling, stronger U.S. and international environmental laws, and consumers snubbing new guitar models made from alternative materials, Gibson and other guitar makers have had to hopscotch the globe in search of new sources for raretonewoods — mahogany, rosewood and ebony harvested from 200- and 300-year-old trees — to deliver the rich sounds musicians treasure.

For its efforts, Gibson has run afoul of both environmentalists and federal law enforcement officials. A federal probe continues into whether Gibson has violated environmental laws in its wood import practices, after two separate raids on the company: one on Aug. 24 and one in fall 2009.

The case has also served to cast a spotlight on Gibson’s financial relationship with the international watchdog group that accredits its wood supplies as legitimate to ship after they’re harvested.

The group — the Rainforest Alliance — has consistently given Gibson high marks for environmental practices in the form of the widely recognized Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) stamp of approval for its wood imports.

The FSC serves as a sort of Good Housekeeping stamp of approval, issued to companies and forest managers that are found to meet a set of forest management standards. Absent any formal national and international legal standards, the FSC stamp is widely regarded as among the best independent assessments of a company’s environmental practices.

Less widely known is Gibson’s longtime practice of making large contributions to the alliance.

While the Rainforest Alliance has regularly investigated and audited Gibson, it also has been among the biggest recipients of the Gibson company’s charitable efforts, receiving between $315,000 and $390,000 each year since 2006 in cash and donations of expensive guitars for the charity’s annual gala dinner, according to aTennessean review of tax records.

The agency also charges Gibson and other companies annual stewardship council fees between $2,500 and $7,500, according to Richard Donovan, the group’s vice president.

……………………………………………………………..

The challenge for American guitar makers, Taylor said, lies in the fact that the the most valuable species for guitars often grow in the most politically unstable places, leaving companies little option but to make the best deals they can.

“We’re not environmentalists, or lawmakers or policy people or forestry experts,” Taylor said. “We’re just guitar makers who now have to be more involved in our sources.”

“While everyone might be pointing the finger at Gibson as the dodgy guys, the question is why is everyone buying this stuff?” said Poynton of the Tropical Forest Trust. “We all bear responsibility. Musicians bear responsibility.”

Contact Anita Wadhwani at 615-259-8092 or awadhwani@tennessean.com.