Fiji laid off employee angry at Qarse

Fiji laid off employee angry at Qarse

Sun, 11 Feb 2001 09:57:24 +1200

PEOPLE'S COALITION GOVERNMENT, FIJI Issue No: 467 11 February 2001

visit our website: http://www.pcgov.org.fj

"I am angry at Qarase" - says laid off employee

Workers are now increasingly expressing their frustrations at the Qarase regime for their fate. Over 18 thousand workers lost their jobs after the terrorists struck Fiji's Parliament. Thousands others suffered reduced working hours and heavy paycuts.

Workers were promised by Qarase that he and his regime will bring back stability and their jobs. But months into his reign, employment has not picked up. Investment in Fiji is at a total standstill.

One ethnic Fijian employee in the tourism industry openly expressed his anger at the regime for making him "almost a begger". The father of 3 said: "I accepted the reduced working days initially thinking that Qarase will get things back to normal. But its been over 6 months now and I am still without a full-time job. I got bills to pay, and send my children to school. Qarase does good things for the rich. I know people are talking about him being very close to the Gujerati's [the ethnic Indian business community]. But what about us? I am angry at Qarase and his gang. They just fill their pockets. I have told my wife we should migrate. But where do we go?"

The statement reflects the sentiments of an increasing number of workers in Fiji. Investors have already stated that they will not invest in Fiji until the rule of law was respected and democracy reinstated. The Qarase regime has refused to take heed of the advice from the investors.

END

© Scoop Media