Lautoka Girmit Centre manager Selwa Nadan issued a stark warning about the dangers of a growing culture of greed for easy money and reliance on government handouts during a public consultation regarding the draft Counter Narcotics Drug Bill in Fiji. He expressed concern that these factors are leading society down a perilous path, where the allure of quick financial gain is overshadowing the values of hard work and diligence.
Nadan highlighted the case of a Lautoka businessman recently convicted for drug smuggling into New Zealand, who admitted to the parole board that his actions were driven by greed. This example serves to illustrate the consequences of prioritizing easy gains over legitimate efforts.
He raised questions about the increasing dependence on foreign labor, with significant numbers of workers from countries like Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam filling positions that locals are reluctant to take. According to Nadan, this trend indicates a complacency among local workers linked to a mindset that favors easy money.
Furthermore, he pointed to government-funded assistance programs as contributing factors to the prevailing sense of entitlement. “In my belief, this greed for money and laziness has a lot to do with the freebies and handouts that the government has given out,” he stated.
Nadan urged the public to reflect on the troubling shifts within society, asking, “What is going wrong in our society?” His candid observations underscore a growing concern that unchecked greed and a culture of entitlement not only threaten public safety but could also lead to a broader moral decline in the community. It is a call to action for individuals and leaders alike to reassess values and foster a more industrious and responsible society.
Leave a comment