Call for action on service amidst acts of selflessness in Fiji.
Service, an adjective that should end the week on a high for the many levels the message permeated, should set the mood for the nation.
Chiefs, churches, and the bravado of a selfless young Mohammed Waseem, have set the wheels in motion through their utterances, and deeds.
But churches and chiefs need to walk the talk – not just pontificate from their ivory tower.
Both institutions together with the First and Second Estate, should sit up the rhythm of the beat set by the likes of Waseem – a Fijian of Indian descent with no traditional chief to directly answer to.
So selfless, Waseem left his family in the family vehicle, as he made off in rubber flip-flops, to join co-workers fighting fire in the North’s municipal town.
On a day off, he made no hesitation to respond to the call of duty.
Waseem could have carried on with his family that day; but his automated response would not have it.
However, a reality check of the level service around the country offers a far cry to this week’s song and dance about service.
Government services are almost non-existent with 10 per cent of its workforce lost to Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, and another 10 per cent to student visas.
No country as small as Fiji can operate when they lose 20 per cent of the workforce.
Halt the exodus, unless we are one with a drop in gross domestic product brought on by the lack of skilled labour to operate the economy.
In Sydney late this week, investors eyeing Fiji are deterred about availability of skilled workers.
Marketing Fiji as an investor destination is pointless without the basic workforce.
Australia needs to break its own silence on pillaging of our skilled work force.
Service? Fiji Revenue and Customs Service is on payment plan for value added tax refunds. Any other refunds are declined, to make you go through a process that kicks the can 12 months down the road.
At Immigration, where visas are pending renewal, staff tell of a backlog owed to the shortage of manpower. If your visa has expired, leave; don’t bother the officials.
Service? Nah, don’t think so.
Fiji needs more likes of Waseem, who are more deserving of the highest order of national recognition.
Story By: Frederica Elbourne
Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj