Three key stories highlight the front page of The Fiji Times for Thursday, October 24.
A picture story features Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who was honored as an honorary chief or Tagaloa by the villagers of Leauva’a. This ceremony welcomed him to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, with more details available on Page 20.
The lead story discusses a call from Shamima Ali, the coordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), urging Fiji’s leaders to connect with the public. Her remarks follow the National Security and Defence Review, which pointed to a declining trust in government and security institutions. Ali also emphasized the importance of Fijians voting for their President and expressed her disagreement with Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu’s nomination for President by Prime Minister Rabuka.
In a separate report, Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Manoa Kamikamica, addressed the ongoing labor shortage in Fiji during the Asian Productivity Organisation’s workshop in Nadi. He noted that this issue is affecting all sectors, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), due to the migration of skilled workers.
Kamikamica highlighted that a shortage of labor could hinder productivity and economic growth, as well as create challenges for employers in attracting talent. He discussed the Government’s focus on establishing new industries, modernizing policies, and creating a supportive business environment to address these concerns.
The minister acknowledged the complexities of the labor shortage but underscored that proactive plans and strategies are in place to tackle it. He urged for a collective effort to transform this challenge into an opportunity for innovation and economic resilience.