FIJI DAY CELEBRATIONS Fiji Celebrates 43Rd Anniversary of Regaining Independence from Great Britain
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“Serving our Community SUNIL DESAI www.fijitimescanada.com Phone: 604.909.4088 for over 30 years” Sales Manager B: 604-987-5231 C: 778-868-5757 800 AUTOMALL DR NORTH VANCOUVER NORTH SHORE AUTOMALL [email protected] CANADA'S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER SINCE 2006 October 11, 2013 FIJI DAY CELEBRATIONS Fiji celebrates 43rd anniversary of regaining independence from Great Britain. Let us not forget our past heroes. Not only those have who died but we need new kinds of heroes today: individuals who can take the lead in many diverse fields and lead lives that younger Fijians can look up to as role models. Today, we celebrate the continuing progress on the road to a better Fiji. Have a blessed and safe Fiji Day celebration. Warm wishes from USA US President Barack Obama sent a congratulatory note to the people of Fiji in recognition of the nation's 43 years of independence. "On behalf of the American people, I offer my warmest congratulations to the people of the Republic of Fiji as you commemorate the 43rd anniversary of your nation's independence on October 10," President Obama said in the message sent to the US Embassy in Suva. He said the US had much appreciation for the people of Fiji, adding he hopes to continue to strengthen ties with Fiji in the near future. Let us all be reminded that it is offices. Schools across the country have Pacific) Ministerial Meeting. "It is my fervent hope that relations important that we not only celebrate, organised activities to mark the occasion. Well over 1000 men and women of our between our countries will continue but reflect on the life of our nation and Remember, regardless of where security forces meanwhile are proudly to strengthen in coming years and that pray for her future. you choose to celebrate, be safe, be serving in international peacekeeping the people of Fiji will be blessed with In Suva, the official celebration was responsible. Make sure you have a plan and peace building in troubled parts of freedom, peace, and prosperity. held at the Albert Park with the trooping and celebrate safely. the world. "The people of the United States deeply of the colors by the Republic of the Fiji If alcohol is part of your celebration, As we celebrate Fiji Day, we must also value our friendship with the Fijian Military Forces. His Excellency the be responsible. Do not drink and drive! be mindful of the fact that we also now people and our shared commitment to President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was As the nation celebrates it can stand have a new constitution. peace, security, democratic ideals, and the chief guest at the event. tall in the community of nations. A Constitution that paves the way for the rule of law." The Bainimarama Government is Our Prime Minister is the chair of the Bainimarama Government’s goal President Obama also wished the calling on all Fijians at home and the influential G77 and China, the of the first genuine democracy in Fiji country every success as it steered abroad to celebrate Fiji Day by International Sugar Council and the through elections next year on one towards democratic elections in spending it with friends and families. Pacific Islands Development Forum. vote, one value, one people. September next year. 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"The surgeons from Sahyadri Hospital wage will push more people into meetings and decisions are made The call comes ahead of the arrival in India will be arriving on October 13 poverty. on time and correct the problem of of surgeons this weekend to carry out and they are expected to start surgeries He argued that no legal decree could implementation of the previous WRO’s heart, brain and orthopedic surgeries. from next Monday," he said. make employers pay up if they just by enforcing the minimum wage on The heart and brain surgeries will be The different teams will perform ortho don't have the capacity to do so. sector basis. done at the CWM Hospital in Suva surgery in Lautoka and heart and brain Dr Narsey said that not all employers “The moment you say everybody must while orthopedic surgeries will be surgeries at the CWM Hospital. can afford to pay the minimum wage pay this and many don’t pay then your conducted at the Lautoka Hospital. As such, we need sufficient blood and may be forced to either close down legislation will be totally ineffective.” Fiji National Blood Service co- stock for the surgeries that will be or let people go – either way resulting However, Dr Mahendra Reddy ordinator Josefa Bolaqace urged all performed by the visiting surgeons for in the unemployment of unskilled or maintains setting a minimum wage is healthy Fijians to think about the less two weeks. semi-skilled workers. the way to go to protect unskilled or fortunate admitted in hospitals. Mr Deo also said several people had “The problem is enforcing it. If the semi-skilled workers who do not have "In order to keep our national blood called the ministry and offered to employers don’t have the capacity, the power to make demands on their stock at a safe level to supply all donate the rare Rh negative blood. then no amount of legal decrees are employers. hospitals in Fiji, we need the equivalent Last week, the ministry said it was going to enable that employer to pay He argued that 68 per cent of workers of 50 blood donors every single day," hunting for the rare blood, which was the minimum wage,” Dr Narsey said in in Fiji earn below the minimum wage Mr Bolaqace said. not found in Fijians but only in those response to the proposer and national rate making particular mention of the "Blood is made up of different of European descent. consultant for the national minimum agriculture sector workers who are components — red cells, plasma and "We applaud The Fiji Times for wage rate, Dr Mahendra Reddy during paid as low as 83cents per hour. platelets, so each donation of blood can highlighting the issue because it a debate at the FNU Nasinu Campus in Dr Reddy said the figures underlined be used for three different patients. resulted in a lot of people calling us up Valelevu. the need to implement a minimum wage "By giving blood, our donors are and offering to donate the rare blood," “There are employers out there who rate to ensure these workers are able to not only helping save the lives of Mr Deo said. can’t afford to pay $2. 32 per hour. For afford better living conditions and are individuals but they are contributing to "We are now listing their names on our employers it amounts to a lot. not exploited by their employers. a healthier Fiji." database and should the need arise for “The reality is that in the informal “We need to start somewhere. There Health Ministry spokesman Shalvin Rh negative blood, then we can always sector a large number of people are just is a need for an intervention for these Deo said the general blood stocks contact them for donations." living in the margins of poverty and workers.