Government Has Only Itself to Blame But ... an opinion by Crosbie Walsh

Crosbie Walsh says that to maintain the US trade concessions and prevent  future threats from overseas unions, not to mention criticism from many Fiji citizens and the international community, Bainimarama should accept the advice of the FTUC president Daniel Urai:

Remove the decrees that limit the rights of the workers and enable the decrees to be challenged in court. 

However, Walsh says that the unions have to ask themselves  two important questions of honour.  (1) Have they really explored all other means to resolve the problem? And, more importantly, (2) is what they are fighting for worth up to 15,000 other people losing their jobs?

But where does one draw the line when taking a stand against tyranny?  Should the unions stand their ground for the long term future of Fiji and ensure the workers and people of Fiji are consulted instead of being dictated to, or should the unions just cave-in because 15,000 jobs may be lost and allow bainimarama to proceed with Khaiyum's draconian decrees that limits the right of the workers and none of it can be challenged in court.  This means Khaiyum can do whatever he wants to workers to enrich his family and friends and no worker can do anything about it...... but what do you think??