Van Drivers Spend Father’s Day at Base
September the 5th, no doubt is a very special day for Fijians, a day dedicated to Father’s. This was not the case for three minibus drivers, who are operating from the Navua minibus base.
For Navua minibus base conductor, Laisa Ledua, Father’s Day Sunday was just another day at work for him with aims to clear his unpaid rent, overdue bill payments and providing food on the table.
Mr Ledua with the help of some fellow drivers secured the job and is paid $100 a week, from which he is supporting his wife and two children at his rented home at Nakaulevu in Navua.
Another minivan driver, Pena Caucau 42, of Votualevu, Nadi said their income have dropped by 70 per cent since the lockdown.
He added that the short operating hours, short running distance due to the containment borders, reduction of passenger numbers from 15 to 8 had contributed to the reduction of their weekly income.
Mr Caucau said, the drop in income had forced more than 30 minivan drivers to go back to their village or look for alternative income sources as many vehicle owners have opted to park their vehicles.
Wise Rairuku who has been driving the minivan for 18 years have seen many ups and downs but this pandemic had shown them the worst of times.
“We have no choice despite the struggles, we still drive, we have families and it is our responsibility to feed them,” said Mr Rairuku.
He is also asking passengers to follow all COVID-19 safety measures while traveling in any public service vehicle.
Despite the struggles of their own, the minivan drivers are wishing everyone a happy Father’s Day