SOME workers in Fiji, even after being sacked for poor performance, still believe they are owed a wage or a living.
This was the opinion of Fiji National University vice chancellor Doctor Ganesh Chand who spoke on "Competencies of Successful Human Resource Professional in today's Changing Scenario" yesterday at the Fiji Human Resources Institute Convention at the Warwick Fiji Resort.
For these workers, Dr Chand said, they cared less if they had performed poorly which resulted in the non-renewal of their contracts, they would still look for other means to get their jobs back.
The means include using church connections to influence those in authority, the unions or even writing letters to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption with allegations.
Dr Chand claimed such practices were rife in Fiji.
The academic also raised his concerns on the mentality certain people have- which was if they could not do the job, no one should be hired to do it.
Dr Chand gave an example of his own backyard two years ago when the then Fiji Institute of Technology offered the same cases as the Training Productivity Authority of Fiji but where the latter was compatible and way ahead of the FIT.
He said the FIT could have done better by offering degree courses as other technical institutions in the world do.
Dr Chand said the existing staff couldn't do that and were against the recruitment of staff who had the capability to do so.
The economist cautioned that most organisations had staff with such mentality. Source - Saturday, October 23, 2010 Fiji Times
The present Minister Jone Usumate and Yogesh Karan had lost their jobs (terminated) after Ganesh Chand had taken over National Trade and Productivity Organisation. He had brought in his cousin Kamlesh Prakash as Director.
Hi Fijileaks,
Western Heat has just posted a comment on your blog post and you need to approve it:
Kamlesh appeared from nowhere and got the job - we clearly remember JUsamate reading to us the Govt Document confirming the merger between TPAF and FNU - where it was stated that the former TPAF Director General will officially become the new Director of NTPC - this was part of the merger. However, after the merger two new posts were created to everyone's surprise. One was the Director NTPC and the other one was Director Standards. All this was Ganesh's work and from that day he lost face to everyone at TPAF...I also remember a document that floated around well before the merger where a letter was written by Ganesh to Netani Sukanaivalu regarding the transfer of TPAF's Fixed deposit of $10M to FIT in order to purchase the incomplete FIT Namaka Campus. When they failed to achieve that deal - (TPAF put up a strong resistance and that idea was shelved) their next move was to rope in TPAF into the merger so that they could grab hold of that money which they successfully did thru their cunning ways. Indeed Ganesh manipulated those in power. When the announcement was made it was mode none other than Netani Sukanaivalu who was acting as Min of Education while Bole was out of the country. Ganesh knew that he and Netani cooked up the idea of the merger and TPAF joining in later so they waited for the right time to present the paper in the interim cabinet meeting. It was approved in that meeting and we were all adviced that afternoon that TPAF no longer existed and we were to prepare for the merger in the new year. a few days later, we got a visit from Ganesh where he told us that he was going to fast forward the merger during the XMAS break so that we could start operating as NTPC in the new year. fast forward to today - we have only around 100 odd staff at NTPC from the 300 plus we used to have at TPAF - he has closed a few depts. and transferred some ot Samabula - his cunning ways is to close NTPC for good but the inevitable has come to early for him. he is on his way out even before closing NTPC down and we say "good riddance" he should be investigated, convicted and jailed. After that, investigate his cunning appointments and show them the door too coz they came in under controversial circumstances.
This was the opinion of Fiji National University vice chancellor Doctor Ganesh Chand who spoke on "Competencies of Successful Human Resource Professional in today's Changing Scenario" yesterday at the Fiji Human Resources Institute Convention at the Warwick Fiji Resort.
For these workers, Dr Chand said, they cared less if they had performed poorly which resulted in the non-renewal of their contracts, they would still look for other means to get their jobs back.
The means include using church connections to influence those in authority, the unions or even writing letters to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption with allegations.
Dr Chand claimed such practices were rife in Fiji.
The academic also raised his concerns on the mentality certain people have- which was if they could not do the job, no one should be hired to do it.
Dr Chand gave an example of his own backyard two years ago when the then Fiji Institute of Technology offered the same cases as the Training Productivity Authority of Fiji but where the latter was compatible and way ahead of the FIT.
He said the FIT could have done better by offering degree courses as other technical institutions in the world do.
Dr Chand said the existing staff couldn't do that and were against the recruitment of staff who had the capability to do so.
The economist cautioned that most organisations had staff with such mentality. Source - Saturday, October 23, 2010 Fiji Times
The present Minister Jone Usumate and Yogesh Karan had lost their jobs (terminated) after Ganesh Chand had taken over National Trade and Productivity Organisation. He had brought in his cousin Kamlesh Prakash as Director.
Hi Fijileaks,
Western Heat has just posted a comment on your blog post and you need to approve it:
Kamlesh appeared from nowhere and got the job - we clearly remember JUsamate reading to us the Govt Document confirming the merger between TPAF and FNU - where it was stated that the former TPAF Director General will officially become the new Director of NTPC - this was part of the merger. However, after the merger two new posts were created to everyone's surprise. One was the Director NTPC and the other one was Director Standards. All this was Ganesh's work and from that day he lost face to everyone at TPAF...I also remember a document that floated around well before the merger where a letter was written by Ganesh to Netani Sukanaivalu regarding the transfer of TPAF's Fixed deposit of $10M to FIT in order to purchase the incomplete FIT Namaka Campus. When they failed to achieve that deal - (TPAF put up a strong resistance and that idea was shelved) their next move was to rope in TPAF into the merger so that they could grab hold of that money which they successfully did thru their cunning ways. Indeed Ganesh manipulated those in power. When the announcement was made it was mode none other than Netani Sukanaivalu who was acting as Min of Education while Bole was out of the country. Ganesh knew that he and Netani cooked up the idea of the merger and TPAF joining in later so they waited for the right time to present the paper in the interim cabinet meeting. It was approved in that meeting and we were all adviced that afternoon that TPAF no longer existed and we were to prepare for the merger in the new year. a few days later, we got a visit from Ganesh where he told us that he was going to fast forward the merger during the XMAS break so that we could start operating as NTPC in the new year. fast forward to today - we have only around 100 odd staff at NTPC from the 300 plus we used to have at TPAF - he has closed a few depts. and transferred some ot Samabula - his cunning ways is to close NTPC for good but the inevitable has come to early for him. he is on his way out even before closing NTPC down and we say "good riddance" he should be investigated, convicted and jailed. After that, investigate his cunning appointments and show them the door too coz they came in under controversial circumstances.
This FICAC investigation (below) was conducted and completed in 2012, and a new one was launched recently into FNU
From: Fiji Leaks [mailto:editor@fijileaks.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 7:55 PM
To: Director Human Resources
Subject: FICAC Investigation, Date: 28th June, 2012 to 8th August, 2012.
Bula Narendra
Would you like to comment on the following
Editor:
5.1.Director Human Resource and Finance.
Mr. Narendra Prasad, former Housing Authority CEO (Dr Ganesh’s acquaintance and appointee as CEO Housing Authority) a New Zealand citizen and close friend of Dr. Ganesh was appointed as Director Finance and Human Resources of FNU. Mr. Narendra Prasad’s appointment needs investigation as there are a lot of able qualified people for the two positions he is holding. Issuance of work permit to Mr. Narendra Prasad has to be scrutinised to establish the merit.
Remuneration
Mr. Narendra Prasad is on a salary of F$150,000.00. Was there a Higher Salaries Commission approval sought? No. F$150,000.00 would have to to be approved by HSC. The two positions are inter related and in this case it is conflicting for one individual to hold two positions. However, it has a micro chip attached for the two positions which simply means that it would make decision making easier on non ethical basis. It is evident that integrity and transparency ethics have been compromised. Other perks attached to these two positions will have to be tabulated to justify payment. It must also be determined as to whether he is medically fit for employment or other wise, establish any health related payments which is outside FNU HR Policy.
5.1.1Medical Evacuation
In accordance with the FNU HR policy, inpatient sick leave is only 30 days per calendar year.
Quote Policy Number 19 Sec 4 (Sub Section 4.1) – Any employee requires to undergo treatment as an inpatient in hospital or required by a registered Medical Practitioner appointed by the university to be confined at home on grounds of illness, is entitled to a period of up to 30 consecutive days of sick leave on full salary on any one year of service”Unquote.
In March, 2011, Mr Narendra Prasad has been paid F$30,000.00 for medical treatment in New Zealand and received salary for normal hours when in fact, he should have been paid as an inpatient.
Mr. Prasad was again paid $30,000.00 for medical treatment in New Zealand in June, 2011 and this time his leave was treated as InPatient Sickleave. Further investigations would reveal whether or not a medical review board is in place to determine medical evacuation for employees of FNU.
There is no medical insurance cover in place for employees of FNU and in all such cases taxpayers fund is being abused to fund medical treatment of employees of FNU. Mr. Prasad, a New Zealand resident, had been referred to New Zealand hospital, however, all other employees, have been refereed to India for treatment.
Findings:
a) Mr. Narendra Prasad was not treated as an inpatient for the first payment of $30,000.00. He was paid normal hours salary.
b) Mr. Narendra Prasad was paid a second payment of F$30,000.00 within a span of three months for medical treatment in New Zealand.
c) As a Director for Finance and HR, he would have been the best person to understand the HR/Finance Policy.
d) Accordingly, he has abused his authority insofar as the double payment of $30,000.00 for medical treatment is concerned.
Fijileaks: Narendra Prasad, who was beneficiary of Aiyaz Khaiyum's Dual Citizenship gift has FLED to New Zealand, and tendered his resignation to the FNU Senate last week, which was accepted!
From: Fiji Leaks [mailto:editor@fijileaks.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 7:55 PM
To: Director Human Resources
Subject: FICAC Investigation, Date: 28th June, 2012 to 8th August, 2012.
Bula Narendra
Would you like to comment on the following
Editor:
5.1.Director Human Resource and Finance.
Mr. Narendra Prasad, former Housing Authority CEO (Dr Ganesh’s acquaintance and appointee as CEO Housing Authority) a New Zealand citizen and close friend of Dr. Ganesh was appointed as Director Finance and Human Resources of FNU. Mr. Narendra Prasad’s appointment needs investigation as there are a lot of able qualified people for the two positions he is holding. Issuance of work permit to Mr. Narendra Prasad has to be scrutinised to establish the merit.
Remuneration
Mr. Narendra Prasad is on a salary of F$150,000.00. Was there a Higher Salaries Commission approval sought? No. F$150,000.00 would have to to be approved by HSC. The two positions are inter related and in this case it is conflicting for one individual to hold two positions. However, it has a micro chip attached for the two positions which simply means that it would make decision making easier on non ethical basis. It is evident that integrity and transparency ethics have been compromised. Other perks attached to these two positions will have to be tabulated to justify payment. It must also be determined as to whether he is medically fit for employment or other wise, establish any health related payments which is outside FNU HR Policy.
5.1.1Medical Evacuation
In accordance with the FNU HR policy, inpatient sick leave is only 30 days per calendar year.
Quote Policy Number 19 Sec 4 (Sub Section 4.1) – Any employee requires to undergo treatment as an inpatient in hospital or required by a registered Medical Practitioner appointed by the university to be confined at home on grounds of illness, is entitled to a period of up to 30 consecutive days of sick leave on full salary on any one year of service”Unquote.
In March, 2011, Mr Narendra Prasad has been paid F$30,000.00 for medical treatment in New Zealand and received salary for normal hours when in fact, he should have been paid as an inpatient.
Mr. Prasad was again paid $30,000.00 for medical treatment in New Zealand in June, 2011 and this time his leave was treated as InPatient Sickleave. Further investigations would reveal whether or not a medical review board is in place to determine medical evacuation for employees of FNU.
There is no medical insurance cover in place for employees of FNU and in all such cases taxpayers fund is being abused to fund medical treatment of employees of FNU. Mr. Prasad, a New Zealand resident, had been referred to New Zealand hospital, however, all other employees, have been refereed to India for treatment.
Findings:
a) Mr. Narendra Prasad was not treated as an inpatient for the first payment of $30,000.00. He was paid normal hours salary.
b) Mr. Narendra Prasad was paid a second payment of F$30,000.00 within a span of three months for medical treatment in New Zealand.
c) As a Director for Finance and HR, he would have been the best person to understand the HR/Finance Policy.
d) Accordingly, he has abused his authority insofar as the double payment of $30,000.00 for medical treatment is concerned.
Fijileaks: Narendra Prasad, who was beneficiary of Aiyaz Khaiyum's Dual Citizenship gift has FLED to New Zealand, and tendered his resignation to the FNU Senate last week, which was accepted!
