Political twisting

Premila Singh,  Suva

I am really concerned about the manner in which facts are being twisted around in the ATS saga.

Firstly workers had an issue with the management which included acting CEO Hare Mani but to give it a twist people are claiming that Chair of the Board Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum locked out the workers.

This is what happens when you let politics encroach in everything. The chair of the board was not in the picture till well after the workers walked off.

Blaming him because that is the easy thing to do will not do anyone any good, especially the workers.

The politicisation of the Christmas Message

Arvind Mani,   Nadi

Politicians Biman Prasad and Mahendra Chaudhry have not missed a beat in wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  And they should too. After all, they all want to get our votes and would do anything to get them.   

I am not standing for elections but I have been wishing people a Merry Christmas for the last two weeks and I am not doing it with any ulterior motive.

So while these two gentlemen have wished us the Season’s greetings, did they really have to give it a political slant on it?  I am glad that Sitiveni Rabuka did not exploit the situation and gave a sincere message.

Mr Prasad said that an overwhelming majority of the people of Fiji are supporting the strikers.  The truth of the matter is that the majority are too busy living their own lives. A lot of them do not even know that there is a strike. The only ones concerned are the politicians who are trying to get mileage out of it.

Mr Chaudhry said: “As we prepare to celebrate, I am mindful of the plight of our workers at ATS.”

I am sure he has lost his sleep over the past week but can draw solace from the fact that he has gained a few hundred votes – maybe.   

If Mr Prasad and Mr Chaudhry are talking about the Christmas spirit, they should probably know that it embraces a feeling of gratitude and that the Air Terminal Services employees should be thankful that they have jobs that allows them to put food on the table for their family and they probably should have advised the workers to go back to work for their good and the good of the country.

But that would not have served their agenda.

As George Orwell so wisely said, “In our age there is no such thing as ‘keeping out of politics’. All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia.”

Church and national leaders

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa,  Suva

Church Deacons and Elders are annointed by the laying on of hands and dedicated to office through prayer in accordance to the Bible.

They are to have one wife and sober children because if they cannot have control over their own household, how can they run the church?

Our Prime Minister has given a solemn warning to civil servants and those in the military that those guilty of committing adultery will lose their jobs.

I believe that this rule also applies to all our leaders in Government and should apply to anyone thinking of holding a national leadership position.

If God does not approve such a person to be leading His church, then it is obvious that He will not bless a national leader who is guilty of adultery and secret affairs.

Boxing Day

Floyd Robinson,  Nasinu

Whilst many enjoy Boxing Day or the holiday on December 26, few actually  enquire about its history. Why is it celebrated and how relevant is it to Fiji?

Instead, should we not have a Rugby Day Holiday as our national league and union teams have excelled in international tournaments including the gold medal at the Rio Olympics?

New Insurance Act

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi

The new Accident Compensation Act will come into effect on January 1, 2018 to replace the current Third Party insurance cover for motor vehicles.

And this is in line with our 2013 Constitution whereby every Fijian’s rights are covered and protected.

The Third Party Insurance cover is non-inclusive. There certainly are many loopholes in it whereby accident victims who get seriously injured or even die are not compensated on time.

In most cases it goes through a very lengthy court process before a ruling is made.

Vinaka and bravo to our Government for doing the right thing for all Fijians.

These insurance firms have been the beneficiaries of the many millions they have raked in the past and they should now be made responsible through the new law.

There is a time for everything.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj