Dear Editor, maybe an agreement of higher wages for an agreed period, to then be reduced back to normal with an incentive programme to increase the wage back to the higher rate agreed upon (No immediate fix for local labour shortage, January 10, 2022).

Obviously, this is a cost to the business owner, but the long-term benefits outweigh the present situation. ‘A happy worker is a good worker’ – this is a proven formula that works and could potentially benefit both parties.

And yes, I’ve experienced first-hand the life and struggle of living in the Cook Islands.

Just my two cents worth.

Francis Vonnel Williams

(Facebook)

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Pay more for experienced workers locally. The island has plenty of hospitality staff but wages are very low so they don’t want to work.

Keeps money in the country instead of sending it overseas back to homes of foreign workers.

Kevin George

(Facebook)

Need tourism training in the Pa Enua. Train our people and children to replace those that have left. Need training in the Pa Enua schools.

That way when hired in Rarotonga, part of their wages gets sent home to the Pa Enua, not overseas.

Maire Nui

(Facebook)

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Government needs to ensure the minimum wage is raised to match the cost of living, and you will have less people leaving our islands.

The fact that employers can still legally pay workers the minimum wage of $8 an hour is outrageous. I was on $6 an hour 30 years ago.

Mark Rere

(Facebook)

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Most businesses are down to half-staff here in Australia because they’re (Covid-19) positive and also due to people changing jobs, with the expected shortage to peak in March.

This gives workers bargaining power though and could mean increased wages in Cook Islands. Supply and ‘demand’ is changing many things.

Kylie Forbes

(Facebook)

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Inmate’s health conditions

Wait - I’ve been to Raro five times! I found it an island of caring, friendly, family first people, many of whom were committed Christians as well!

No offence, but there are limitations on medical care anywhere, not just in Raro - but clearly Raro is not geared up for intensive care.

How would you have gone with a serious Covid outbreak? How many ventilators can you crank up?

This guy sounds really sick, and his partner sounds very genuine (Concerns raised over inmate’s ‘deteriorating health’, January 11).

Three years for marijuana possession? What, a 40-foot container? The same God that gave you nu and papaya and taro created the marijuana plant. This guy is only in jail because of man’s laws, not God’s. And I’m not even religious.

Best wishes to Jacqueline.

Andy Harrison

(Facebook)