Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa has issued a stern warning to special administrators in municipal councils, advising them not to interfere with council affairs. This cautionary advice follows a significant protest staged by workers at the Ba Town Council, who walked off their jobs in response to grievances against acting CEO Moshim Khan, who also serves as the special administrator for the council.
Minister Nalumisa emphasized that the role of special administrators should not include the direct handling of council operations. He has called for the immediate appointment of an acting CEO while Mr. Khan continues in his special administrator capacity. The minister confirmed that the protesting workers will be compensated for the day they missed work due to the strike.
Satish Chandra, an industrial officer with the National Union of Workers (NUW), expressed deep concerns regarding the treatment of workers under Mr. Khan’s leadership. According to Chandra, employees reported feeling threatened and disrespected, particularly when they attempted to voice their concerns, leading to unfounded salary deductions without proper notification or consultation, which violates labor laws.
Adding to the discontent, a union member revealed that workers were previously promised a salary increase of 10% that was to be implemented in January but never materialized, causing disappointment among staff members.
In response to these ongoing issues, Mr. Khan stated that he had not received any formal complaints or communications from the union regarding the workers’ grievances.
This situation mirrors broader challenges in local governance as seen in previous articles, highlighting the need for effective management and communication within local councils across Fiji. The recent developments signal a crucial crossroads for the Ba Town Council, where proactive measures and the appointment of competent leadership could pave the way for improved working conditions and community service delivery.
This ongoing dialogue reflects the essential need for transparency and cooperation to foster a supportive workplace environment, ultimately benefiting both the employees and the residents of the Ba municipality. The community can remain hopeful that these discussions will lead to positive changes for municipal governance moving forward.
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