The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) reported that a vessel became stranded at sea on Saturday night, prompting students on board to jump overboard in an attempt to swim back to shore. MSAF’s CEO, Joeli Cawaki, stated that the organization is investigating the incident to determine its cause and to ensure similar events do not occur in the future.
In another development, the job market in Fiji has shown signs of improvement as wage increases and a decrease in the number of Fijians heading overseas for work or study have helped enhance the availability of skilled workers. The Reserve Bank of Fiji noted in its latest economic review for July that there was a 28.6 percent rise in Pay-As-You-Earn collections in the year leading up to June, suggesting that businesses are making efforts to retain employees. Despite this, job vacancies remain limited.
Former House of Representatives secretary, Edward Blakelock, commented on the unusual situation where the opposition is operating in two separate blocs. This change was announced by Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. Blakelock suggested that this could lead to varied decision-making among members, highlighting the rarity of an entirely independent opposition. He referred to the Political Parties Act, which states that members elected under a deregistered party can continue their terms as independents, raising questions about the structure of the current opposition.
Blakelock emphasized that despite the division into two groups, all members still represent a singular opposition that is distinct from the government. He noted that it is essential for the opposition to hold the government accountable and to ensure that the interests of the people remain the focus. As this political landscape evolves, there is hope that these changes will strengthen the opposition’s ability to serve its purpose and advocate for the public.