Page 10 - IB February 2025

We Say We Say

drugs only increases the potential for the breaking, bending minds to find loopholes in the best and most secure systems.
and overlooking of rules, regulations and the law. Even the world’s largest banks have fallen prey to people
This is the backdrop against which the Pacific must battle within who have purposefully devised schemes with which to
dishonesty, malfeasance, graft, extortion and racketeering at embezzle or defraud.
the highest level. In some of these cases, it has taken years for auditors to
In Fiji, a thriving drug trade which now includes injectable spot the malfeasance.
drugs has led to increased prevalence of HIV and AIDS, a surge That is why it is important for administrators to have inside
in violent robberies, and more cases of mental illness than knowledge of any criminal activity within organisations and
ever before. government departments.
The introduction of these drugs could not have been With large numbers of contracts and purchases each year,
possible without members of law enforcement agencies there is room for abuse.
acquiescing to the demands of drug dealers. Some of this abuse may be small in financial terms but
To end corruption, governments must ensure that its the danger is that an employee emboldened by success will
citizens are gainfully employed and live with sufficient food, continue to chip away at the company’s finances.
shelter, resources, medical services, running water, and Most cases of abuse of purchase orders or awarding of
access to affordable education. contracts are well known to workers.
It is incumbent on all Pacific states to bring about an end A corporation which wants to end these practices must have
to poverty by creating employment opportunities through in place a system which allows for employees to inform their
investment or creation of small and medium-sized businesses. supervisors of corruption in the workplace.
This will not, however, be enough to stop corruption. By offering to protect such workers, organisations show they
It is also necessary to build communities in which are serious about putting an end to corruption.
transparency, honesty, respect for neighbours, and integrity An employee who uncovers corruption can become a victim
are treasured and practiced every day. of supervisors or managers involved in illegal activities.
Throughout the Pacific, people must be able to call out Their protection must be guaranteed if the company is to
dishonesty at all levels of society, and so without fear of continue with its zero-tolerance policy on money laundering,
persecution or prosecution at the hands of corrupt leaders corruption, discrimination and harassment.
who control the system. There is, of course, a danger that some workers will use
Within homes, schools, and churches, children must be anti-corruption policies in the workplace to falsely accuse
guided by parents and guardians to uphold honesty and colleagues.
justice. This can breed suspicion and distrust.
Strong anti-corruption mechanisms, including prosecutorial There must be—in every workplace—a solid investigation
services must be built into the government system. Workers process based on the presumption of innocence until guilt is
should be encouraged to remain honest while watching for proven.
and calling out dishonesty in the workplace. In conjunction with the protection of whistleblowers, this
At the same time, great care must be taken to ensure can be a powerful tool in the fight against corruption.
that anti-corruption agencies do not become the personal After their initial agreement to work together against
watchdogs of politicians, intent on creating difficulties for corruption, Pacific leaders attended a conference in Atlanta,
their rivals. Georgia, to confirm their commitment to this initiative.
This has happened in Fiji under the Bainimarama Yet, throughout the Pacific, corruption remains an issue
government which used wide-ranging anti-corruption laws in most countries, gradually destroying the credibility of
to conduct witch hunts on people and organisations. The ministers, the civil service, and foreign donors.
independence of anti-corruption units or organisations must It also causes dangerous precedent with people vying
be of the highest possible international standard. for political office in an attempt to make money and build
Within government departments and private corporations, empires on illicitly gained funds.
whistle-blowing policies must be created to protect Transparency International New Zealand has recommended
employees who expose corruption and dishonesty. It is the strengthening of national whistleblower protection acts
especially needed in statutory organisations and government- across the region in consultation with civil society and key
owned companies in which corruption and unethical acts can stakeholders.
become part of work culture. It has also suggested capacity support, and funding
In large corporations which operate water, electricity, needs to be prioritised to strengthen key institutions and
telecommunications and construction or disseminate aid mechanisms that will enable effective implementation of the
funding, it is extremely important to ensure that employees, whistleblower protection legislation.
management and the board are always held accountable to Five years after the signing of the Teieniwa Vision, it is time
shareholders and the nation. for the Pacific to show it is serious about ending corruption.
Unfortunately, it is always possible for creative and criminal

10 Islands Business, February 2025