Public Administration during the Girmit Time Period A

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, Jone Lako, Maureen Dayal, Dr. Atishwar Pandaram

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

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.

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

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.

2. 0 Theories (Con’t) • Taylorism (Taylor, 1911) – One best way of doing work – Rigid hierarchy and process. – Standardization of work practices. – Payment by piece rate, targets and tasks

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.

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.

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.

5. 0 Research Findings & Discussions • Taylorism – Some of the suppression techniques were penal rules, task work and ineffective enforcement of regulations.

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.

6. 0 Conclusion • The public administration system during the Girmit period 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.

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.

Bibliography (Con’t) • Naidu, V. (1980). The Violence of Indenture in 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.