Unions, where’s the $5m?

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi

The FTUC executives of Felix and Dan, FASA’s Viliame Naulumatua with ATSET’s Vili Finau must all now front up and account for the above amount of $5million+ in dividends paid into the ATSET accounts from 2005.

The ATS members must question their past and present trust executives as it is not only their monies but it is their right, they can be impartial and go to the police or FICAC to do the investigation on their behalf, please do not hide behind the non-payment of COLA, the freak walkout or the lockout to justify your irresponsible strike action that have resulted from your wilful desertion of your individual respective work station for 03hours on Saturday 16th December 2017 to attend a trust meeting without prior consultation with ATS Management.

A placard held by a young boy during the march stated; “Our Share, Our Say” and rightly so, it was never for sale and still is intact as it will require the endorsement of your trust through the full consent of all ATSET members should you be willing to sell, why not ask Finau and the trustees about the dividends from your shares.

Those on strike have compromised the security and livelihood of their immediate family’s welfare and dependents, but I dare Vili Finau to come out in public and publish the audited accounts from 2005 to 2016 in order to satisfy the curiosity of your members to which ATSET is accountable to and for the general Fijian public to allay any misconception they may have.

The ATS Board Chairman must act swiftly in the interests of the Company, the Employees and all Shareholders alike to protect the integrity of the entity by involving FICAC and the Fiji Police.

Vili Finau must clear the polluted dark clouds that is hovering above the ATS Nadi Airport building. Now that it is raining heavily here in Nadi I would like to ask FTUC President Dan Urai to please relocate the picketing to the Fiji Hotel Workers Union office HQ opposite Ratu Navula College where it is conducive to safeguard the welfare of the FTUC affiliated FASA Union members on strike and their supporters.

Fuel price hike, unrealistic

Rajesh Lal, Lautoka

The recent increase in fuel price announced by the Minister is really unjustified.

Whenever there is decrease it’s only one cent or three cents but when there is an increase; it’s unrealistically high.

Can the Minister concerned show us the documentary proof of price increase to the people of this nation?

National strike

Simon Hazelman, Savusavu

Felix Anthony’s blatant statement to shut the country down over the ATS saga is not only reckless but totally irresponsible.

For someone who failed miserably as party leader of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2014 elections he sure seems to be taking absolute advantage of the situation which I believe has been overly reacted upon.

To lose here for Felix is to lose the support of union members, so it really seems like a personal battle for superiority.

To go on a nationwide strike is irresponsible on the part of all unions and they and the country will simply reap what it sows. Basically the aim of this national strike is to inflict financial loss to the nation so that the ATS walkout workers get their terms met, but the fact of the matter is that the nation, its employees and their families will ultimately suffer. It’ll become a costly affair for all. It is already hard enough to keep up with the best of times.

Many families have existing problems and such an action will only aggravate it and the tensions and uncertainties of the work situation will be reflected in the home. Invariably it’ll affect the lives of everybody.

All this for a desire for more money by a few and for Felix Anthony’s reputation! For a developing nation as ours, a national strike is never a forward march but a backward one!

Wake up and remove the blinkers people, we’ve suffered enough!

Success is no accident

Spencer Robinson, Suva

I would like to convey my best wishes to my fellow Fijians  – preschool, primary and secondary school students, as the new school term of 2018 begins.

The Ministry of Education, teachers, parents and guardians can make a difference towards the enhancement of our children’s educational performance through effective ‘team work’.

My advice to all students is to reflect on what Pele,one of the greatest football player of all time, once said: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”

English proficiency test

Pranil Ram, Suva

I would like to express my concerns regarding the recent saga on the English proficiency test.

Firstly, this is an age old problem. Unfortunately, it has popped up now and we are really frowning about it.

I deeply believe that the AG and the Minster of Education is quite right in pointing out that the standard of English in our schools need to improve.

Just like the old saying ‘Quality Input leads to Quality Output’.

One has to admit the fact that all subjects except for vernacular is taught in English. Henceforth, the English language needs to be strengthened so that the class delivery for teachers could improve. The recent results from the test have come as no surprise but as a warning that “there’s something wrong in the state of Denmark”.

I know of number teachers who have tried teacher registration overseas but failed at the last hurdle many times because they could not meet the required threshold in their English proficiency test.

This is a clear reflection of the quality of English used in our schools. Many letter writers in the past have also expressed their dismay at the quality of English used in our schools.

However, I strongly feel that any test of this nature should not be used to hire or fire teachers but rather for teacher appraisal. Lets stop playing the blame game and finger wagging but rather put our hands together to promote quality education.   

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