Friday, June 17, 2011

SIBC News, 17 June 2011

SOLOMON FISH AND PROCESSING COMPANY GO ON STRIKE

Hundreds of workers at Solomon Fish and Processing company cannery facility have gone on strike as of this morning, leaving the company operations at a standstill.

Brian Beti reports from Noro that the workers walked off their jobs this morning to protest against the low salary they are being paid each fortnight.

He says the issue of low salary has been raised by the workers with the company management but nothing has been done thus the strike action.

Mr Beti says some of the workers spoken to confirm that the average fortnight salary received by each worker is around 250 dollars raising the question of whether the company is aware of the government's legal minimum wage.

He says disgruntled workers have also confirmed they will be staying out from their jobs until the matter is dealt with properly by the management.

Meanwhile, he says the company has since locked up the cannery facility with tight security.

He says if the strike action continues tomorrow, it is highly likely that the stock of fresh fish to be processed will be left to rot.


NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT CONSCIOUS OF OBLIGATION AS NEXT CHAIR OF PACIFIC FORUM

The New Zealand government is critically conscious that as the incoming chair of the Pacific Forum from September this year, it has an obligation to consult the nations of the Pacific to ensure that its leadership style does not deviate from the line of thinking of the majority of the member countries.

In an interview with SIBC news, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully says, his trip to the Solomon Islands is to canvas support as part of New Zealand's plans for the forum under its leadership.

The New Zealand Foreign Minister also held dialogues with the Prime Minister Danny Philip and other government leaders to generate discussions appropriate for the 40th anniversary meeting of the Pacific Forum.

Mr McCully and his delegation left yesterday after what he described as a very positive trip to the country.


PRISONER RECONCILES WITH FAMILY OF VICTIM

A prisoner serving life has reconciled with the family of his victim at the Rove Correctional Services centre yesterday.

David Kwaoga of North Malaita reconciled with the family of his victim, a woman from Weather coast of Guadalcanal Province.

Organiser of the ceremony and Chaplain of the Rove Correctional Services Father Jack Aitorea described the ceremony as a moving one for both the offender and the family of the victim.

He said the reconciliation was possible with the help of the Sycamore Tree Project that deals with the reconciliation of offenders with their victims.

A relative of Mr Kwaoga, Dr Judson Leafasia said he is thankful to the Sycamore Tree Project for making the reconciliation possible.

Kwaoga was sentenced to life after convicted of murder in 1995 and is now serving the 16th year of his term.


FORMER POLICE COMMISSIONER CALLS FOR HELP FOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTH

A former Police Commissioner Frank Short has encouraged the government to seek help from the Republic of South Korea for disadvantaged young Solomon Islanders.

Mr Short made the comment after the news South Korea Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Whie-jin Lee, stressed how Korean firms involved in logging and reforestation in the country over several decades had engaged themselves in the various local communities by participating in education and health projects.

During the presentation of his credentials to the Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui recently in Honiara, Ambassador Lee spoke of the diplomatic ties forged between the two countries since 1978.

Mr Short says it is timely with the new appointment of Ambassador Lee for the Government to consider seeking the assistance of the South Korean Government to help train some of the Solomon’s disadvantaged youth.

The former Police Commissioner says in 2008 he wrote an article, published in a local online website, that the government of the Republic of Korea is known to be actively engaged in piloting a number of training schemes aimed at uplifting and encouraging socially disadvantaged youths in several South American countries.

Mr Short says it could prove advantageous for the Solomon Islands Government to seek the Ambassador's assistance in introducing similar support to the many young adults living in and outside Honiara.


PRINCIPAL OF AUKI COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL CALLS FOR COURAGE

The Principal of Auki Community High School, William Abuito'o calls on staff, parents and especially students who are affected by the recent burning down of their classrooms to stand tall above their problem and cooperate to overcome the challenges.

In an interview with SIBC news, Mr Abuito'o calls on staff members to carry out their duties professionally and do not allow bad memories to haunt then in delivering lessons to the students

Mr Abuito'o assures parents that his staff will improvise ways to ensure students' education are not further disrupted.

He says, dialogue with the secondary sector has started so that the primary classes can be facilitated using the secondary sector facility over the mid year break.

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