A member of Fiji’s premier employer organisation has lashed out at the sudden change to exclude him as a presenter at an upcoming calendar executive event.

Mike Towler, managing director for export-based textile manufacturer Performance Flotation Development, said he was “disappointed but not surprised” over the decision to drop him as a presenter at Top Executives (TOPEX) conference.

The conference, organised by Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), is scheduled for two consecutive days later this month.

The conference at Denarau would have heard him speak of concerns surrounding skilled labour drain.

In correspondence between Mr Towler and FCEF, he said: “I have been making it very clear who I was intending to blame for skilled labourdrain

“I would also like to register both my disappointment and dismay at the way FCEF, as an organisation, represents the members on this particular issue, that is, loss of skilled labour from Fiji, and generally on issues relating to the employment relations act. So far it has been woeful.”

FCEF president, Vinay Narsey, told Fiji Sun to “get your answers from Mike (Towler)”.

“In any event, there are changes that happen from time to time for various reasons,” Mr Narsey said.

“There is nothing to take out of context with this.”

However, Mr Towler said the concerns required robust representation on behalf of the employers of Fiji.

“What we have got so far is very lame,” he said.

“When known agitators like Felix Anthony come out in the media with statements that they will be seeking a national minimum wage of $6-$7 per hour, the FCEF should be vigorously responding to it with high profile multimedia opposition.

“Silence is tantamount to acceptance.”

Mr Anthony did not respond to telephone calls from Fiji Sun.

Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation president, Vinay Narsey.

Fox in charge of hen house 

Mr Towler said having a unionist as head of the Ministry of Employment was akin to a fox in charge of the hen house.

Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh, could not be reached on his phone for comment yesterday.

Mr Towler said FCEF “should be dealing with him like employer’s deal with a union representative, that is, with a high degree of caution and with the knowledge that he has a lifetime of union activism.”

“Anyway, I accept that FCEF doesn’t want me to be proactive – or provocative – on this issue at TOPEX, considering that at last year’s conference, I heavily criticised two major Fiji industries for their lack of support to Fijian businesses during COVID-19,” he said.

“I’m sure you don’t want me doing something similar during this year’s event, especially since my last year’s targets were major event sponsors.”

Westpac Fiji was a major sponsor at last year’s TOPEX.

Queries sent via email to Westpac Fiji remained unanswered when this edition went to print.

“I’m a realist, I get that, but it won’t silence me,” Mr Towler said.

The inside story 

Mr Towler has earned his reputation as a no holds barred leader.

He suspected the catalyst behind the latest development was at the Fiji Australia Business Council annual general meeting at the Australian High Commission in Suva.

At the AGM last week, Mr Towler told the new Australian Trade Commissioner, Tim Houghton, that he would tip a bucket on Australia at TOPEX, over the student visa scam.

The student visa scam was facilitated and perpetrated on Fiji by a supposed Vuvale, he said.

“One of FCEF executive committee members was standing in the group and heard what I said,” Mr Towler said.

“A week later, they withdraw my invitation; not hard to work out why.

“In any case, I’m a big boy wearing big boy pants; I can handle the rejection, but I won’t let them get away with that sort of sh#t.”

Australian High Commission in Suva did not respond to queries sent via email.

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj