Representing Fiji on the world stage demands a lot from an athlete, they are workers - Katonibau

Representing Fiji on the world stage demands a lot from an athlete, and there is a high risk that a player could get injured which is why every player that is representing Fiji in any sport should be recognized as a worker under the Work Care Bill 2025.

This was highlighted by former Fiji 7s and Flying Fijians rep, and Stonewriters Director Isake Katonibau while making an emotional submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs this morning as he tries to get former, current, and future National athletes to be included in the Work Care Bill 2025.

@fijivillage.com Representing Fiji on the world stage demands a lot from an athlete, they are workers - Katonibau #fiji ♬ original sound fijivillage

Katonibau says the challenge is there are a lot of demands from the public, and from the fans all around Fiji because they want the athletes’ service, but they don't have the resources to meet these demands.

He says he has represented Fiji on the sporting field and also on the battlefield while doing peacekeeping duties for the RFMF in 2013 and 2014, and he says the training was quite similar, but rugby was more demanding because it is a contact sport and more physical.

Katonibau went on to give an example of how the Republic of Fiji Military Forces recognizes representing Fiji on the world stage in any sport as one of the highest national duties.

He says if the RFMF can recognize national duty as paramount, then why can't the Government recognize these young athletes of this country as workers?

Katonibau says the missing point in the Work Care Bill 2025 is the inclusion of the National reps in it as they are giving their best for the country, laying their bodies on the line for Fiji, and most importantly, working for the country.

Meanwhile, Standing Committee Deputy Chairperson Premila Kumar says they fully support this submission but the only thing they need to come up with is how to provide this support.

Kumar says with the submission made, it is the work of this committee to consider the submission, and consider it in a way that it covers very well in the bill.

She says Katonibau’s presentation has been heard, but there are some grey areas currently in the Bill, that the committee had posed a question to the Ministry of Employment.