Lovely frangipani

from w
Noticed that a Fiji resort is inviting tourists to part with their money with a one and a half hour treatment with frangipani based oils and waters. For $FJ 195. Wow! The labourer or household helper in Fiji gets much less than that in a week! At least we Fiji families can get a nice coconut oil massage for our sore backs for nothing! Read the ECREA reference in the Fiji papers this week - from Father Barr about poverty in Fiji. The bua is of course the frangipani and I did the sketch yesterday with oil pastels and white acrylic paint.

'Bua' Frangipani Cleansing Ritual
1 Hr. 30 Mins FJ$195.00 FJ$360.00 - Double
Immerse yourself in a fragranced aromatic' plunge pool and cleanse & refresh your soul with the lingering & exotic fragrance of the Pacific. Your face & body are cleansed with frangipani floral water in preparation of a relaxing and therapeutic massage. Your face is pampered with frangipani oil & your body indulged with frangipani body lotion. Your treatment is enhanced with the sweet smelling aroma of frangipani essence. Indulge with your complimentary frangipani cleansing ritual homecare pack (retail $80.00).

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FIJI MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE DUE IN JULY
Rate to be set at $90 per week

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Feb. 26, 2010) - The chairman of Fiji’s Wages Council Father Kevin Barr is expecting a wage increase in mid 2010.

Speaking to FijiLive, Fr. Barr said all the wages councils met and resolved that there be an increase from July 1.

"We are trying to be fair to the employers but at the same time, we want to be just to the workers," he said.

He highlighted that according to the current poverty line, the minimum wage rate has to be FJ$175 [US$90] per week.

"It’s a disgrace that 60 percent of workers covered by the wages council are earning below that," Father Barr said. "With the 20 percent devaluation that took place last year, the purchasing power went down as well."

He added the People’s Charter for Change stated the need for a National Minimum wage in accordance to the poverty line.

"Our job is to see workers get a gradual increase until the National Minimum income comes into effect," he said.

The ten Wages Councils are: Wages Council for Road and Transport; Wholesale and Retail Trades; Building, Civil and Electrical Engineering; Hotel and Catering Trades; Manufacturing Industry; Printing Trades; Sawmilling and Logging Industry; Mining and Quarrying Industry; Garment Industry; and Security Services.

Fijilive: http://www.fijilive.com