The Prime Minister of Tonga has been quoted so many times in Parliament, claiming that people are being incited to riot. Are they? Or, is it the case of people finally getting up to do what is right for Tonga: to demand a change in the way their future is constantly being determined by a handful, whose interests are far from that of making a better life for "ordinary" Tongans? - Finehika Vavatau
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Results for Opinion
Friday 2 September 2005
Australia
I sense that the two issues, pay increases for PSA workers, and a move to change the country's political framework, are being driven to achieve the same purpose - equity in pay rights for workers, and a change to the country's political framework. - Jason Faletau
Friday 2 September 2005
Australia
I am writing to express how sad I am about the situation in Tonga. I am sure that I cannot relate to what the government workers are going through because I am not employed in Tonga. I am not a scholar nor am I a politician. - Seini N Kelemete
Friday 2 September 2005
New Zealand
As you said, a German-owned hotel. Guess what? German is not Tongan. Guess what too, it's Palangis who go to the Pacific and exploit our naivity in human nature that destroys us. Don't come to Tonga ever if that is your wish, coz your kind is not needed, your one minute visit gives you no insight into anything, so keep you rubbish to yourself. - Tei ‘Akaveka
Wednesday 31 August 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
What was initially meant to be a PSA-Government issue has created concerns at the regional and international levels. Culturally, we have protocols for solving our problems and the PSA has gone through that peacefully. - Justin Kepa
Wednesday 31 August 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
We holidayed in Tonga back in 1994 quite by chance - we had intended to holiday in the Soloman Islands - but we missed our flight due to a mix up with our travel agent and had to quickly choose another destination - and so we found ourselves in the glorious Vava'u Islands. The scenery and people were a delight but the poverty that surrounded us was truly shocking. What was more shocking was the obvious corruption that was practiced so openly, which effectively caused the poverty. - Brett Margison
Tuesday 30 August 2005
California, USA
My heart was full of sadness after I heard what happened to our home. Uoleva is one of the most respected homes in Tonga and I don't understand why they burned it or what a respectful home has done to the people of Tonga. - Melelatai Mulikiha‘amea Family
Tuesday 30 August 2005
Moss Beach, Ca.,USA
In my earlier comments, I noted that the public servants strike in Tonga is laced with danger and perhaps one of disruption as much as optimism. The lack of resolution on the crisis in Tonga has put a cavity on the optimism but accelerated the level of danger and disruption to a potential conflagration...like a volcano that has been passively active but soon to have a devastating eruption. - Mele Payne Lynch
Monday 29 August 2005
Sydney, Australia
Public Servants of Tonga you have been deceived, you thought that the PSA was working for industrial reform, you thought they were working for the people, but all they have done is hold you and the rest of the country hostage to their own demands. - S. Lepailuangahau
Monday 29 August 2005
UK
To imagine how these less fortunate civil servants survived all these years is astonishing. With power prices increasing, fuel prices in record high and inflation in Tonga, one tends to wonder how the average Tongan who can support 6 children will carry on like this. - William Mariner
Monday 29 August 2005
Honolulu, Hawaii
In my humble opinion, the leadership and members of the civil servants/PSA, were treated like second class Tongans, (i.e. I quests that's how the "status quo", in Tonga still looks down at us commoners, a second class status, well, I have news for all of you "HOU'EIKIS", we're not, we're all human being and very proud being Tongans), maybe that is some of the "Hidden Unspoken Issues" that has not been brought out in the open, for an honest and frank discussions. - M. T. Tuaileva
Monday 29 August 2005
UK
I was so moved when I was reading about all the uncountable people who have worked as cleaners and rubbishmen for more than ten odds years and yet still earning as much as T$54.00 fortnightly or even less weekly. I have recently visited Tonga just to catch up with family and friends, and to my suprise the inflation is shocking. - Annette Dougal
Monday 29 August 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
A march in support of striking workers and their demands for a fair pay increase and democracy will be held this Saturday (Sept 3rd) at noon. Marchers will gather at the bottom of Queen Street. Tongan Community youth leader, Niulala Helu, said he will be marching. - Mike Treen
Saturday 27 August 2005
London, United Kingdom
His Majesty, the father of our nation, who is abroad while our household is on fire and we the people are in it, speaks volumes than his past history. To abandon your responsibility towards a nation who is currently suffering, indicates lack of conscience or moral emotion towards his subjects. -William Mariner
Friday 26 August 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
I can't sit around and ignore what I believe is unfairness toward our beloved king. The king is nothing else but a socio-cultural and political father to the nation. It surely is not fun for him to maintain the highest degree of respectability, be a model and a leader and try to make everyone of his subjects happy.-Sailosi Finau
Friday 26 August 2005
USA
Think of where will the government come up with the money for the 60, 70, 80% rise. Wake up and smell the coffee. All over the globe have you people ever heard of a country that tried to get a rise for that %, NO, only Tonga. - Angelica Lout
Friday 26 August 2005
Los Angeles, USA
Before you begin to stand for what you think is "right," take a deep breath, consider the possibilities from every corner then make your statement. Years of neglect, struggles, oppression, and WRONG MOTIVES from dictatorship are some possibilities as to why OUR fellow Tongans are taking such actions. Dear editor, I am not agreeing that acts of violence is the solution but can you blame the PEOPLE? - M. ‘Aumoeualogo
Friday 26 August 2005
London, UK
Let me refresh what was inevitable in the start of my letters. The shift now, from this strike has gone to a road where history has taught many nations, that were once ruled by powerful monarchs. Those soverign nations are now super powered nations. The lesson in the past with these nations are simple: Without the people, you do not have a government! and once you have lost the respect of the people, you do not have a nation. What you have; is a nation that wants change. - William Mariner
Friday 26 August 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The PSA should accept the government's current wage offer for many reasons. - Sifa Citizen
Friday 26 August 2005
Las Vegas-Nevada, USA
They throw around the name of the World Bank to add credibility to this nonsense claim.It is especially appalling that they try to pin the already rising inflation on the PSA demands, when it is caused by their own misguided policies.
The true cause of inflation according to economic principles and empirical facts show that inflation is directly proportional to money supply, which is governed by monetary policies traditionally controlled by Federal Reserve Banks, which I presume is under the Minister of Finance portfolio. - Thomas Monson Uata
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