FLP Manifesto Focuses on Women, Indigenous Affairs, Rural Revival
There are plans to establish a credit facility under government guarantee for women in productive areas of the economy should the Fiji Labour Party form the next government.
The party outlined this in its manifesto that was launched at Wesley Church Hall in Butt Street, Suva on Thursday.
“At a time when the cost of living has never been so high and many are finding it hard to keep a roof over their heads and put decent food on the table,” party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said while presenting the manifesto.
“We want to support women in commerce. We will also provide incentives for businesses to employ women.”
The party would also extend the Agricultural Marketing Authority to include the distribution and marketing of traditional craft products, floriculture and horticulture products for the domestic and export market and tourist centres.
“Women are equal partners with men and should play a full and active role in the political, economic, cultural and social life of Fiji,” he said.
“There is a real issue with domestic violence. Labour will tackle this. We will set up a domestic violence and child exploitation task force and engage in an extensive campaign called ‘Violence Never’ in the media and on the ground.”
Mr Chaudry also highlighted that they would establish a gender equality commission to review existing legislation.
This is to remove discrimination against women and non binary genders and ensure that new laws firmly represent all genders; it will safeguard fair wages for women in the formal and informal sectors.
Additionally, FLP is concerned about the indigenous community it claims to have been marginalised by the FijiFirst government and other previous governments.
“We don’t want them to lose access to their land under the guise of development,” Mr Chaudhry said.
“Labour believes that their welfare and that of the nation lies in the sustainable development of their resources and sharing equitably in the wealth it creates.
“This manifesto outlines that Labour will support and guide iTaukei land owners. There will be government programs designed to support them. There will also be increased funding for Indigenous land development.”
He further added that policies relating to land must satisfy the tenant as well.
“Labour will increase the maximum annual rental of agricultural land to 10 per cent of the unimproved capital value to better reflect the value of the land to those landowners who are able to offer 50 year minimum leases; A labour govt will pay the increase in rent for local farmers,” he said.
“And in this way, the tenant is not out of pocket and the landowner gets more for their land. This is a win-win situation.”
The party has strong and targeted policies on improving the rural areas and increasing its population.
“We will also invest in rural infrastructure. For example, $50m will be set aside in annual budgets just for infrastructure development in Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Ovalua, Kadavu and the outer islands,” Mr Chaudhry said.
“Labour will invest in building rural service centres that provide administrative and health services, commercial spaces, free Wi-Fi and other facilities. These places will be hubs of activity which will also give the rural population a sense of progress and inclusivity.”
Funding
FLP plans to finance its expenditure on activities and projects mentioned from the Consolidated Fund through the government budgeting process and accounted for in all respects as per the requirements of the Finance Management Act.