The Ministry of Labour and our High Commission in Australia are now working to stop Fijians overstaying there and making things difficult for other Fijians.

A report received is that the over-stayers attend Fijian gatherings just to eat and disappear again.

Their movements in Australia are now closely monitored. Objective: Improve Fiji’s reputation and stop the overstayers “spoiling” others.

Showing way

Spare a thought for those who were working yesterday as many enjoyed the Christmas festivities.

Among the doctors, nurses, Police, military and Corrections staff, and other essential workers who helped keep the country ticking were Minister for Health and Medical Services Jone Usamate, his assistant minister Veena Bhatnagar, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar.

Mr Usamate is on his Lau tour, Ms Akbar was in the west spending time with the elderly and Ms Bhatnagar was at Anderson Maternity Unit at CWM Hospital to welcome the first baby during Christmas in Suva.

Follow leaders

They say there are two kinds of leaders. In tune with the Christmas spirit, we will use the analogy of the shepherds. Leaders are likened to shepherds.

One kind of shepherd leads from the front and the sheep follow him or her. The other shepherd leads from the back.  Experts say the best leader leads from the front, by example.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his number two, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, belong to this group.

They have been leading from the front from day one and placing the FijiFirst Government in a commanding lead in the countdown to the 2018 general election.

There has been no letup in their commitment to service delivery. That explains why Jona Usamate, Rosy Akbar and Veena Bhatnagar were still attending to official duties yesterday.

Mr Bainimarama kicks off the New Year with a North tour on January 4. And it’s not uncommon for Mr Sayed-Khaiyum to be burning the midnight oil to get things done. One day this week he only went to bed at about 5am and he was up again a few hours later to attend a function.

Their influence has certainly rubbed off on other ministers. The buzz words must be “Follow the leaders”.

New CEO at FRU HQ

The new Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer will be a surprise to all.

The recruitment process has been led by KPMG, the international accounting and management consultancy group. The new CEO is expected to be announced next week.

Union in turmoil

A trade union is in financial turmoil. The extravagant lifestyle of a union leader has come back to haunt him and the union.

The victims here are the office workers who apparently took their Christmas pay cheque to the bank and were told there is insufficient fund.

For months the unionist was using a rental car because the luxury vehicle that he normally uses is in the garage.

The bills have come to several thousands of dollars and have put a severe strain on the union budget, so much so that the pay cheque could not go through.

What’s made it worse is that photos of the unionist under the influence of the amber liquid and in the company of the opposite sex have been circulated via social media.

It’s the same unionist that is protesting against the registration of a rival union formed by disgruntled union members.

He has been heard in the corridors of power complaining that the rivals are poaching his members.

He needs to know that this is exactly what the Employment Relations Promulgation Act 2015 is designed to do – to give workers, not happy with the conduct and performance of their union leaders, a choice.

He did not have to look far for the answer to his predicament. He needs to look at himself in the mirror.

New storm brewing

Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa is having a bit of peace and quiet in the United States away from the storm brewing at home in SODELPA in the wake of Mick Beddoes resignation.                  Mr Beddoes, her chief adviser and speech writer had launched a scathing attack on party deadwoods and admitted for the first time the party is in turmoil.

His parting shots have incensed party officials except Ro Teimumu who praised Mr Beddoes for his loyal service.