Military regime falling apart at the seams

While the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), an association of private sector employer's have read the tea leaves and aim to "not play politics" in order to try and resolve the current union impasse with the illegal and treasonous military regime, there is no reciprocity from the other side.

The leaked accounts from KPMG are now being spun out in totality as the regime, waking up to the fact that they showed their hand a bit too freely, has in the process effectively thrown some members of the FCEF under the bus:

6 FNPF directors paid over $100,000 in fees over 3 years
Friday, July 22, 2011

Six directors of the Fiji National Provident Fund and its subsidiaries received over $100,000 in fees and sitting allowances over a period of three years from 2007 to 2009.

Heading the list is union leader Felix Anthony who was paid $185,934 in fees followed by Howard Politini at $173,774.

Union leaders Daniel Urai and James Raman are also at the top of the list getting paid $156,287 and $150,576 respectively.

Lionel Yee received $137,165 while the late James Datta got $103,252.

Ministry of Labour permanent secretary Taito Waqa received $78,406 but the KPMG report obtained by FBC News notes that all his directors fees were paid to the Ministry of Labour.

Others who benefited handsomely from their positions on the FNPF board and subsidiaries – receiving between $47,000 to $75,000 in fees - were Arun Narsey, Himmat Lodhia, Pratap Singh, Mesake Nawari, Olota Rokovunisei, Tomasi Vakatora, Abraham Simpson, Kanti Tappoo and Rajeshwar Singh.

A breakdown shows that Felix Anthony received $28,911 in fees in 2007, $84,204 in 2008, and $72,819 in 2009.

Anthony claimed for directors fees, for sitting on the audit committee, sitting on the Human Resource committee, the investment committee, sitting allowances, and even claimed for reimbursements for as much as $5,000 for internet, telephone and insurance.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says the practice of being paid for sitting on individual committees and boards of subsidiary or related companies has been stopped.

Report by: Stanley Simpson

As these pitiful shenanigans borne out of desperation on the illegal and treasonous military regime's part play out, the Australia Transport Workers Union is concurrently digging their legal heels in citing that Fiji is paradise lost because 'Fair Work Australia' cannot speak out on the military regime...in an economy that is effectively pumped by 44% of the tourism market from Australia and that as Australians they have a responsibility to make sure that we have a proper Pacific regime in this country which is democratic, has the right opportunity for people to speak up and does not suppress fundamental human rights including labour rights.

Union to challenge Fiji industrial action ban
Updated July 22, 2011 10:52:02

Australia's transport workers union has vowed to fight a court ruling saying they can't take action against the national carrier, Qantas, over what they see as the suppression of union rights in Fiji.

Air Pacific, which is partly owned by Qantas, has secured an injunction against the TWU which was pursuing possible industrial action in support of colleagues in Fiji.

Union secretary Tony Sheldon says the injunction will be challenged in court, and he's called on Australian tourists to avoid holidaying in Fiji, which is ruled by a coup installed military government.

Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speakers: Tony Sheldon, Australian Transport Workers Union secretary; Alan Joyce, Qantas CEO

Listen here.

Meanwhile the communicated caution to the illegal and treasonous Bainimarama from global unions remain in place.