The Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Mr. Filipe Bole confirmed that Fiji will end daylight saving at 3 am on Sunday 6
th March 2011, after it started on Sunday 24
th October 2010. This decision by the Cabinet means that the nation will have to switch time back from 3am (03:00) to 2am (02:00) normal time in the first Sunday next March, 2011.
Daylight saving in Fiji has benefitted both the private and the public sectors over the years. The daylight saving has provided extra hours for productive work at the end of the day with savings in energy. It also provides us more time for leisure and recreation activities such as sports and gardening, including religious activities.
In terms of personal and family time, daylight saving allows both employers and workers to spend quality daylight time with families and friends in the afternoons, especially the quality time with children.
The energy saving also benefits the employers and shop owners by keeping their enterprises open for longer hours of business. This has also boosted tourism activities as the numbers of tourists coming to Fiji have reached an all-time high, with more cruise ships coming through Fiji.
Members of the public are advised to be sure to switch the clock back by one hour from 3am (03:00) to 2am (02:00) normal time on Sunday 6th, 2011.
Taito R Waqa
For Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations & Employment
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