- LABOUR MINISTER TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE – Minister of Employment, Industrial Relations and Productivity, Hon. Jioji Konrote is expected to address the International Labour conference 104th session in Geneva on the 10th and the 12th of June.
- NEW INSECT MUSEUM TO IMPROVE PEST DIAGNOSTICS – Government has achieved another milestone through the construction of a National Insect Museum and refurbishment of a staff room at Koronivia Research Station.
- SPORTS MINISTER URGES RURAL INTEGRATED APPROACH – Department heads in the rural division need to focus a lot more on government’s Integrated Rural Development Framework(IRDF) policy in order to provide practical solutions to the development needs of rural communities. Youth and Sports Minister Laisenia Tuitubou made these comments in a meeting with senior government officials in Taveuni this week.
- YOUTH GROUPS MUST FIRST REGISTER – Youth groups in Taveuni have been reminded to register first with the Ministry of Youth and Sports before they request for assistance.
- SENIOR OFFICIALS ATTEND CHANGE MANAGEMENT COURSE – Senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management began a three-day Masterclass on Change Management in Suva today.
- HEALTH MINISTRY COMMITS TO GENDER EQUALITY – The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is committed to addressing the issue of gender equality and social inclusion.
- LABOUR MINISTER TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE
Minister of Employment, Industrial Relations and Productivity, Hon. Jioji Konrote is expected to address the International Labour conference 104th session in Geneva on the 10th and the 12th of June.
A highlight of this presentation will be the progress Fiji has made by social partners in relation to legislative reform of the Essential National Industrial Decree, and participation on the Employment Advisory Board.
The Fiji delegation to the meeting consists of director of Labour Policy, Mrs Vani Varea, the chief executive officer of the Fiji Commerce and Employers’ Federation, Mr Nesbit Hazelman, the general secretary of the Fiji Trade Unions Congress, Mr Felix Anthony, Fiji permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ms Nazhat Khan, first secretary at the Fiji Mission in Geneva, Mr Ajendra Pratap, and state counsel at the Office of the Solicitor-General, Ms Robyn-Ann Mani.
ILO Director General, Guy Ryder outlined that last year the ILO placed a lot of emphasis on their work in relation to social justice and decent work. This year’s conference is expected to include a high level panel discussion on decent work and climate change, an interactive discussion on child labour and a dedicated session social protection programmes.
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- NEW INSECT MUSEUM TO IMPROVE PEST DIAGNOSTICS
Government has achieved another milestone through the construction of a National Insect Museum and refurbishment of a staff room at Koronivia Research Station.
While commissioning the Museum and staff room, Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development & National Disaster Management, Mr Inia Seruiratu said these facilities will assist staff better in their daily operation.
“The new office and insect collection will help staff to effectively carry out their work to better understand the impact of insect pest and have a reference point that will assist in diagnosing pest problems,” Minister Seruiratu said.
“This would not only ensure the safety of the insect specimens collected from around Fiji, preserved since early 1900s, but would also assist agriculture stakeholders in pest risk analysis services and in the process facilitate trades.”
The staff room will provide the officers with a separate office space which will eliminate high culture contamination which has been detected over the years in the laboratories.
Minister Seruiratu said these facilities will improve the quality and efficiency of pest diagnostics undertaken in the laboratories.
“The outcome of this development is enormous as it will provide quality, cost-effective and timely research data for pest and disease diagnostics for clients,” Minister Seruiratu added.
The total project cost the government $250,000.
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- SPORTS MINISTER URGES RURAL INTEGRATED APPROACH
Department heads in the rural division need to focus a lot more on government’s Integrated Rural Development Framework(IRDF) policy in order to provide practical solutions to the development needs of rural communities. Youth and Sports Minister Laisenia Tuitubou made these comments in a meeting with senior government officials in Taveuni this week.
Minister Tuitubou highlighted that following his consultations in Taveuni, youth groups had raised issues that involved other government departments.
“Issues raised have been on crossing, farm roads, water and in this we apply the IRDF concept,” he said.
While it is encouraging to note the participation of other government departments in this consultation, Minister Tuitubou said it was more important for them to work together on the best solution for the communities.
“This is a concept that involves all ministries to look into suitable solutions for issues and most of the issues raised from youth groups are under the Ministry for Rural and Maritime Development, Lands and Ministry for Agriculture,” Minister Tuitubou said.
Cakaudrove provincial administrator Joseva Rokonai said the IRDF concept is a government initiative and therefore all government department and civil servants must fully understand.
“I am happy to be part of the team this week and seeing the different departments with the Minister’s delegation shows how much we are able to support each other, after all we are all working under the same government and the same initiative and that is for the people,” Mr Rokonai added.
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- YOUTH GROUPS MUST FIRST REGISTER
Youth groups in Taveuni have been reminded to register first with the Ministry of Youth and Sports before they request for assistance.
Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou made these comments at Naivivi village, Qamea Island this morning.
He said registered youth groups must ensure they are active and also submit their reports to the divisional youth officers.
“It is not only about registration but it is also about the importance of getting youths involved under the Ministry’s programmes,” Minister Tuitubou said.
Minister Tuitubou also highlighted the need for youths to trust the ministry in order to move forward.
“You must, learn to trust and seek advice from us, the government wants you to have a bright future, this is what we are here for,” Minister Tuitubou said.
He said many youths have managed to grow and have successful income generating projects because they sought advice from the ministry.
Meanwhile, Minister Tuitubou said with the registration, youth groups need to submit their monthly reports to the Youth Officer or coordinators in their areas.
“This is for us to see and know what you are doing and how we can assist you,” Minister Tuitubou said.
“However; it will be of no use for us to assist youth groups if the members are not active, in Fiji youth groups have reaped from their projects due to their frequent report and activity’s,” he said.
Moreover, Minister Tuitubou said with all requests from youth groups a training must be conducted.
“We want you to have training before we can approve your requests; this is because we want the projects to be put into good use,” Minister Tuitubou added.
Naivivi village headman, Iosefo Tikomalea acknowledged the view and words of the Minister for encouraging the youth groups.
“We are glad to have the Minister visit our island and taking his time out to talk to our youths, encourage them and listening to their views,” he said.
Mr Tikomalea said that visit by the Minister to the island reflects well on how government wanted to help the youths.
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- SENIOR OFFICIALS ATTEND CHANGE MANAGEMENT COURSE
Senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management began a three-day Masterclass on Change Management in Suva today.
In his opening remarks, Minister responsible for the two ministries Inia Seruiratu, urged the officials to be agents of change in the positions they hold.
“We need change agents. You are the agent of change by virtue of your current posting and your levels in the civil servants. The expectation of government is you are to be the agent of change,” Minister Seruiratu said.
“Most of us are experienced officers and experiences are good but it has its limits. I hope we will be receptive to the new ideas, concepts, and paradigms so that we can be current, relevant, proactive, and visionary in the roles that we are in.”
The Minister said the course came is timely in light of government’s achievement and plans for the future.
“We should be proud of our achievement and be proud of the progresses so far and of course there are still areas that we need to work on and make improvements,” he said.
“I’m thankful that this course is timely as we look back at our achievements and strive to do better.”
The course will focus on critical transitions necessary to make an organization more relevant and effective in light of the increasingly changing global and national environment.
The course is covering topics in fundamentals of change management, the development of a unique and successful framework for organizational transitions, and the development of change agents’ or workers’ skills and capabilities.
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- HEALTH MINISTRY COMMITS TO GENDER EQUALITY
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is committed to addressing the issue of gender equality and social inclusion.
Acting permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr Maciusela Tuicakau said they have developed a training manual to address the issue following a comprehensive review on the subject.
Dr Tuicakau told a manager’s workshop that gender equality is important for the achievement of sustainable management and development of the health sector.
“This marks an important event in the calendar of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for our commitment and dedication to ensuring that as a Government Agency and as a Health Sector, we address issues pertaining to Gender in our House,” said Dr Tuicakau.
The Australian High Commission’s Counselor for Development Cooperation in Fiji and Tuvalu, Ms Joanne Choe said Australia is strongly committed towards gender mainstreaming and social inclusion and is proud to support the development of this training workshop.
Press Release