Public Administration during the Girmit Time Period: A Study of the Fiji Islands

1. Public Administration during the Girmit Time Period: A Study of the Fiji Islands Presentation Done By: Dr. Anand Chand Contributors of this Paper: Dr. Suwastika Naidu, Dr. Anand Chand, JoneLako, Maureen Dayal, Dr. AtishwarPandaram

2. Outline of the Presentation • 1.0 Introduction • 2.0 Theories • 3.0 Literature Review • 4.0 Research Methods • 5.0 Research Findings and Discussions • 6.0 Conclusion • 7.0 Bibliography

3. 1.0 Introduction • The traditional path of Fiji’s public administration was permanently modified when the first Indian labourers were brought to Fiji. • The public administration system during the colonial period was based on the philosophies of Fredrick Taylor and Max Weber. • The main aim of this paper is to examine the public administration during the Girmit time period.

4. 2.0 Theories • Traditional Public Administration • Public administration should be organized according to the hierarchical and bureaucratic principles- Max Weber (Gerth and Mills, 1970). • There is one best way of working-Taylorism (Taylor, 1911). • bureaucratic delivery • Politics/administration dichotomy-political and administration should be separated.-Woodrow Wilson

5. 2.0 Theories (Con’t) • Max Weber (Gerth and Mills, 1970) • Formal hierarchical structure-superior and subordinate relationship is strictly followed. • Management by rules and written documents. • Legal rational principles-no room for subjectivity and biasness.

6. 2.0 Theories (Con’t) • Taylorism (Taylor, 1911) • One best way of doing work • Rigid hierarchyand process. • Standardization of work practices. • Payment by piece rate, targets and tasks

7. 3.0 Literature Review • Naidu (1980) argued that during the Girmit period, the estates and the planters had full control over their employees. • Howard and Durutalo (1987) emphasised that the indenture system was for five years and the workers worked for five and a half days a week.

8. 4.0 Research Methods • Data for this study was collected mainly from secondary sources. • Two major sources used to collect data were: (1) journal articles and (2) textbooks.

9. 5.0 Research Findings & Discussions • Taylorism • Division of labour based on gender and status. • Management prerogative: policy execution was the role of provincial authorities and colonial government. No other stakeholders were involved in policy making. • Collusion between the colonial state and CSR. • One best way to work: CSR got the support from the Colonial state to exploit and suppress workers in order to get maximum out of them.

10. 5.0 Research Findings & Discussions • Taylorism • Some of the suppression techniques were penal rules, task work and ineffective enforcement of regulations.

11. 5.0 Research Findings & Discussions (Con’t) • Weberian Principles • Formal Hierarchical structure: Consent to move indentured laborers was taken from Colonial Office in London and Colonial government in India. • Follow General Rules: Girmit system was under the supervision and control of the Provincial government in India and the Colonial State in Fiji.

12. 6.0 Conclusion • The public administration system during the Girmitperiod viewed workers as commodities that will help the British rule to achieve their goal of establishing revenue generating activities around Fiji. • Weberian and Taylorism principles were practiced by the Colonial government during the Girmit period.

13. Bibliography • Gerth, H.H., and Mills, C.W. (1970). From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. • Howard, M.C., and Durutalo, S. (1987). The Political Economy of the South Pacific to 1945. Monograph Series No. 26, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.

14. Bibliography (Con’t) • Naidu, V. (1980). The Violence of Indenture in Fiji. Fiji Monograph Series No.3, School of Social and Economic Development, Laucala, Suva, Fiji Islands. • Taylor, F.W. (1911). Principles and Methods of Scientific Management, New York: Harper.