8/12/09|FIJI Water Responds to Mother Jones Article
This is our response to the recent Mother Jones article about our company.
We strongly disagree with the authorís premise that because we are in business in Fiji somehow that legitimizes a military dictatorship.† We bought FIJI Water in November 2004, when Fiji was governed by a democratically elected government.† We cannot and will not speak for the government, but we will not back down from our commitment to the people, development, and communities of Fiji.
We consider Fiji our home and as such, we have dramatically increased our investment and resources over the past five years to play a valuable role in the advancement of Fiji.
It is true that Fiji is a poor country, but we believe that the private sector has a critical role to play to address the underserved areas of Fijiís development, with special attention to economic opportunities, health, education, water and sanitation.
First, we employ nearly 350 Fijians in a rural part of Fiji with very little economic opportunity.† We are one of the highest paying employers in the country with an annual payroll of nearly $5 million; we provide health care and other fringe benefits; and we have created advancement opportunities for women.† There are also a number of smaller, entrepreneurial enterprises that have been created in the local region to supply our facility.
As an active member of the Fiji community, FIJI Water is committed to enabling positive change by means of social investment, capacity building, and sustainable development. It is important to us that we give back to the communities in which we work and live. We know that Fiji has tremendous potential because we see it realized at our factory every day.
Part of our investment in Fiji comes from royalty and trust payments paid each year that is a percentage of our total volume.† As we grow our business, we are able to contribute more in royalty payments.† In 2008 alone, we paid $1.3 million USD in royalties representing 1.5% of gross revenues of our Fijian company.† These payments have allowed us to bring clean drinking water to the surrounding villages, infrastructure projects like electrification, kindergartens, secondary schools, renovations of community halls and much-needed health care clinics.
In addition, in late 2007 we created the FIJI Water Foundation to serve as a vehicle for social investment around the islands of Fiji.† The Foundation has played a critical role in flood relief in Fiji, renovation of schools, and bringing much needed health care to rural villages.† We have also partnered with the Rotary Club and Pacific Water for Life to bring clean water to 100 communities in Fiji this year.† To date, FIJI Water Foundation has invested $600,000 USD, directly impacting more than 50,000 beneficiaries in 11 of Fijiís 14 Provinces.† You can learn more about the specific projects we have funded at www.fijiwaterfoundation.org.
With respect to the environmental issues raised in the article, our commitments are quite clear and laid out in www.FIJIGreen.com.† We are the only bottled water company in the industry to publicly report its entire life cycle carbon emissions.† We are independently audited and report to the Carbon Disclosure Project.† And we are offsetting these emissions by 120%.
Land access issues are very delicate to negotiate in Fiji, but the Sovi Basin project remains on track and the 50,000 acres of the last remaining lowland rainforest in the South Pacific is protected now and through perpetuity from logging.† The project will pay the local villagers not to sell their timber rights to logging companies.† Deforestation of our tropical rainforests is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions.† Protecting the Sovi Basin is the equivalent of removing 2 million cars from the highway.
Our carbon offset project in Fiji includes replanting the rainforests that have been decimated to plant sugarcane fields.† Part of this effort includes planting native tree species, such as mango trees, to provide local villagers with a source of income.† We are proud to create projects that protect the environment as well as provide for a source of sustainable income for the local Fijians.
Itís unfortunate that the reporter did not have the opportunity to speak to any one of the thousands of local people whose lives have been impacted in a very positive way because of FIJI Water.† Had we known she was in Fiji, we would have been happy to escort her to any one of the 75 villages who have been a beneficiary of a clean water project sponsored by FIJI Water this year alone.† She could have visited one of the villages surrounding our plant to visit a kindergarten that was recently built or to meet a local Fijian who received a life-saving corrective heart surgery by a physician we brought to the island.
The real irony here is that the reporter suggests that buying FIJI Water somehow legitimizes a military dictatorship, when in fact the jobs, revenues, and community projects supported by FIJI Water are strong contributors to growth in the well-being of the Fijian people.
Clara Jeffery says:
August 13th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
From Clara Jeffery, Co-Editor of Mother Jones. What follows is our reply to Fiji Water spokesperson Rob Six, courtesy of writer Anna Lenzer:
Sixís key points are the same he and other Fiji executives have repeatedly made, and which are reflected in detail in my story: Donating money for water access projects or kindergartens is laudable, and I discuss Fijiís charitable projects in Fiji (despite numerous requests, Fiji wouldnít disclose how much it spends on most of these projects). The piece also makes it clear that Fiji Water accounts for significant economic activity in Fiji, and company executives are quoted to that effect.
Six doesn’t address the key questions raised in my Mother Jones story, from the polluting background of Fiji Waterís owners past and present, to the companyís decision to funnel assets through tax havens, to its silence on the human rights abuses of the Fijian government. My piece doesnít argue that Fiji Water actively props up the regime, but that its silence amounts to acquiescence.
“We cannot and will not speak for the government,” Six writes. I didn’t ask them to speak for the government, I asked them to comment on it. Though Fiji Water casts itself as a progressive, outspoken company in the US, it has a policy of not discussing Fijiís regime ìunless something really affects us,î as Six was quoted in the story.
The regime clearly benefits from the company’s global branding campaign characterizing Fiji as a “paradise” where there is “no word for stress.” Fiji’s tourism agencies use Fiji Water as props in their promotional campaigns, and the company itself has publicized pictures of President Obama drinking Fiji Water. This is a point repeatedly made by international observers, including a UN official who in a recent commentary (titled “Why Obama should stop drinking Fiji waterî) called for sanctions on Fiji, and singled out Fiji Water as the one company with enough leverage to force the junta to budge. Yet the most pointed criticism the company has made of the regime was when it opposed a tax as “draconian;” it has never used language like that to refer to the junta’s human rights abuses.
Itís worth remembering that there arenít very many countries ruled by military juntas today, and Americans prefer not to do business with those that are. We don’t import Burma Water or Libya Water.
As to Sixí point that the company didnít know I was in Fiji: I did contact Fiji Water before my trip, and Six mentioned that the company “takes journalists to Fiji”; I didn’t follow up about joining such a junket. Despite news reports showing that Fiji wouldnít cooperate with journalists who went there independently, I chose to do so and visited the factory on a public tour. I had planned to speak to Fiji Waterís local representatives, and to visit the surrounding villages, afterward. But it was at that point that I was arrested by Fijian police, interrogated about my plans to write about Fiji Water, and threatened with imprisonment and rape. After that incident, personnel at the US embassy strongly encouraged me not to visit the villages. I did discuss my trip to the islands with Six after I returned, and had extensive correspondence with him on numerous questions, many of which he has not addressed to this day, including:
– Why won’t the company disclose the total amount of money that Fiji Water spends on its charity work? Do its charitable contributions come close to matching the 30 percent corporate tax rate it would be paying had it not been granted a tax holiday in Fiji since 1995?
– Will Fiji Water owners Lynda and Stewart Resnick, who in the companyís PR materials contrast our tap water supply with the ìliving waterî found in their bottles, disclose the full volume of pesticides that their farming and flower companies use every year? Could limiting those inputs create better water here at home?
– Fiji touts its commitments to lighten its plastic bottle (which is twice as heavy as many competitorsí) by 20 percent next year, to offset its carbon emissions by 120 percent, and to restore environmentally sensitive areas in Fiji, but its public statements never acknowledge that these projects are, in many cases, still on the drawing board or in the negotiating stages. Why?
We welcome further dialogue with Fiji Water on these important issues.–Clara Jeffery, Co-Editor, Mother Jones
mtgentry says:
August 18th, 2009 at 11:14 am
If your water is 3% of GDP and 20% of the country’s exports, I think you’d be able to throw your weight around a bit instead of standing by as government officials threaten journalists.
canadiangirl says:
August 19th, 2009 at 7:08 am
I am in full support of Mother Jones article and find Fiji’s response unconvincing.
Lynda Resnick has said “Recycling is the biggest probolem. Solve that and we eliminate landfills and more.”
Recycling isn’t the problem, it’s our best attempt to deal with the waste produced by companies such as FIJI Water.
I also do not believe the FIJI water is doing more good than harm in the impoverished country. I think that upper class officials are benefiting a great deal more than the poor workers.
Fiji Water states it “doesn’t speak for the goverment”, however it’s obvious that by doing such a large business in Fiji you ARE expressly supporting that government. You are NOT empowering people, but making them indebted to you. You ARE exploiting them. Why are you not making your “community projects” more transparent and open?
I don’t buy Blood Diamonds, and I won’t be buying FIJI water.
FIJI Media Gal says:
August 19th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
canadiangirl,
Please visit http://www.fijiwaterfoundation.org and http://www.fijigreen.com to learn more about our community efforts. You can also view the Carbon Footprint, Community, Conservation, and Recycling sections of this blog, which will continue to update.
alexisriley says:
August 20th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Yeah I’m gonna have to go with canadiangirl on this one. Sorry FIJI Water but you aren’t being transparent. You are not empowering the people of FIJI. The fact that the people and especially the schools have a horrible water system is something you should be ashamed of but of course there was that 150,000 you donated. Whitewashing and PR spin is all the jest of this rebuttal.
Resina Koroi, Project Manager, Rotary Pacific Water for Life says:
August 20th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Statement on FIJI Water from Rotary Pacific Water for Life (Fiji):
Women and children walking for miles to get water is a common sight as one drives along the many rural roads in Fiji. One would think they were all going out on a family picnic with the cheery waves and big smiles they give you as you pass them by. Such is the life in Fiji. With all the political upheavals that were besieging the country in the last decade and resources scarce for development, rural communities were not a priority in the strategic plan of the governments of the day.
As the need for access to safe drinking water in these remote rural communities grew, three Rotarians who worked for major corporate organisations in Fiji approached Fiji Water to be one of the founding sponsors of an initiative to provide this basic need, thus The Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation was formed. A successful application for funding from the Rotary Foundation followed and assessments began in earnest to start what seemed an impossible task as many of these communities were in areas inaccessible by road.
Two years on, 60 water projects later the joy that emanated from women and children who have benefited from these water projects were so great that traditional dances have been composed recording the event. Fijians record their history through song and dance and this has passed on from generation to generation.
Anjali Devi of Nakorokoro, Nadroga and Vesau Nunia of Vatusekiyasawa, Rakiraki summed it up simply when they said ìIf it was not for Fiji Water we would still be sufferingî a sentiment echoed by women and children throughout Fiji.
Communities throughout Fiji have realized and reaped the benefits that Fiji Water has provided through Rotary Pacific Water for Life. Recognizing the need to help these communities who have had typhoid outbreaks because water systems put in place 50 to 60 years ago are no longer working, Fiji Water has stepped up to the plate to help.
In a country that ìlooks like someone dropped a fistful of confetti on the oceanî everyone is related somehow, that ìpolicemanî works in the city but his village or his relativesí village would be one that has no water. Fiji Water is seen as a bringer of hope to communities that have had little or no hope of help for their need, and Fijians will protect what is dear to them, skewed as it may seem they will do it in a way not understood by foreigners. English being a second language to over 80 percent of the population many things get lost in translation creating confusion for the tourist brave enough to venture out into the rural areas.
Through Rotary Pacific Water for Life, fifteen communities including schools, in Rakiraki and Tavua alone have benefited from these water projects. A strong component of the assistance given to these communities is that a strong emphasis is placed on training and water management awareness. The formation of water committees, consisting of an equal number of men, women and youths are a requirement before funding and the villagers are consulted through village meetings. The water committees are responsible for the project during and after installation, in the collection of a minimal levy pre- determined by the village as a whole. These levies will help pay for any maintenance to the project in the future, and also help towards paying for the running of any pump if any are provided. The help given is not a hand out and communities must provide sweat equity and meals for the community members who work the project. Accommodation and meals is also provided to the qualified technical staff provided by the Foundation to supervise the entire project.
Fiji Waterís commitment for the last two years toward the Foundation has helped and will be helping over 150 communities throughout Fiji; communities who have had no one listen to their pleas for help until Rotary Pacific Water for Life stepped in.
Whilst all the political wrangling is going on; the villager in his farm, the sugar cane lorry driver, the garment worker, the housewife at home tending to her family needs; could not care less who was in power, all they want is to be able to turn on a tap not too far from their home and have safe drinking water.
It is through the generous sponsorships of corporate organisations like Fiji Water, the Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation is able to achieve its objective of providing safe and sustainable drinking water to Fijiís rural communities.
Resina Koroi
Project Manager
Rotary Pacific Water for Life
mike says:
August 20th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
@canadiangirl
O please. The fact that Fiji gives back even one dollar to the local communities should be commendable because they sure as shit don’t have to give anything. Why is it people always tend to gang up on the companies that are actually doing their best to be halfway decent and yet leave the true assholes alone. Fiji employs people and that alone is amazing and welcome. Please please let them come to Detroit hire 350 people and build schools.. i would love to be exploited like that.
Jason says:
August 21st, 2009 at 1:23 am
Regardless who is right and who is wrong, we have to give Fuji Water some credit for allowing comments on this page.
The first time I came across Fiji water was in an American desert – Las Vegas.
I was there in the middle of a massive drug store, staring at an elaborate POS display and can’t get my head around the concept of shipping water, in plastic bottles, from the middle of the Pacific Ocean to a desert in America.
FIJI Media Gal says:
August 21st, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Alexisriley,
We’re sorry that you’re interpreting our community development work in Fiji as just spin. We’ve invested a great deal of time and money in the island of Fiji, and that has spurred great jobs, economic development, clean water, health care improvements and more.
Like you, we support and hope for improvements in the lives of Fijians. And we’re doing our part. We’ll do a better job of communicating those efforts in the coming months and letting you and others know how you can help.
You can start reading more at http://www.fijiwaterfoundation.org. And feel free to ask questions about our progress on this blog.
Megan says:
August 23rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Gathering an essential resource from an impoverished nation in order to profit by selling it around the world is never commendable. And calling the production of plastic bottles “green” through the smoke and mirrors of carbon offsetting is merely a laughable marketing ploy, not a recipe for a sustainable relationship with the world’s resources.
John says:
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I would like to say to critics of Fiji Water that their call for a boycott is the sort of stance that makes any development in poor countries impossible.
It is always true that poor countries have problems – the quality of government is almost always substandard. Environmental problems are usually considerable, partly because local populations (whether rightly or wrongly) view survival and development as a much higher priority than environmental care.
If you boycott these countries, they won’t develop, their people will stay poor and they won’t easily clean up their human rights records, their democratic practices nor their environment.
Fiji water is one of the only high value products Fiji has, exported for its intellectual value more than its intrinsic value. It is a great product for Fiji to produce, made from one of Fiji’s very few competitive advantages.
It is entirely appropriate to call Fiji water out on poor practice and ask for it to meet the standards its consumers desire. It is awful to call for a boycott, when buying the products of poor countries is one of the best things we can do to help them.
I’m writing from New Zealand – perhaps the country that has been more critical of Fiji’s military government than any in the world. And I would like to say how much I admire Fiji Water for putting up an open comments section here where its critics can record their views and discuss them. This gives me more confidence that buying Fiji water is a positive way to help a poor country.
I don’t think its an exaggeration to say that anyone who boycotts Fiji water and buys oil products is grossly hypocritical.
I hope the company will responsibly continue to examine how it can best respond to global consumer demand for sustainable production. I hope it commits to supporting Fiji’s beautiful communities and looking after its workers. And I wish the Fiji people all the very best.
Dick Go says:
August 25th, 2009 at 1:15 am
It all comes down to Govt. taking a reasonable amount of tax on profits of an enterprise. Is this happening here? Quote Fiji Water contributing ‘royalties representing 1.5% of gross revenues of our Fijian company ‘
And therein lies the point: is the contribution to profit between the Fiji company and the overseas marketing/distribution companies failrly distributed?
Is is fair? We dont know, and we wont know, we are not even entitled to know. And so we have to guess.
What we can conclude is that the charitable largesse into Fiji might give a warm feeling to the hollywood types as they quaff the stuff, but it does not pay for the potholes in the roads caused by container load after container load of water transported to the port, and which was the main cause of your reporters uncomfortable bus ride. Does it pay for much else? Probably not in relation to the profits earned.
We also do know that the Minister of Finance of Fiji lost his job for asking those questions in 2007.
Al Erdman says:
August 25th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Drinking any kind of bottled water is irresponsible, but FIJI takes the cake. I have read numerous articles in the past years about the company and its owners so the Mother Jones article is not the first. Their “corporate citizenship” is laughable. Crumbs for the locals while they rake in the dough. There’s no way to defend it, no matter how you spin it.
Kyle Bakke says:
August 25th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Why do reporters feel that companies somehow have the obligation to be activists against the very countries that host them?
The Mother Jones reporter seems to feel that Fiji Water is duty-bound to publicly denounce a military junta government. This reporter seems to feel that, because the company is profitable, it is the only voice that will be heard by this military junta. Yes, it will be a voice heard loud and clear, but the company would be powerless to stop the junta from nationalizing their operation and putting them out of business for speaking against the government. Is this what the reporter wants?
The reporter was arrested while in Fiji for her article. She is naive to think the Fiji government won’t treat the Fiji Water company in much the same way if they start speaking against and rallying the world against the same government. The Fiji Water company lives in that part of the world and their silence is an act of self-preservation. They know what speaking out against the government will produce. This stupid reporter got a taste of that but still demands that the company carry her torch for her.
I am against human rights abuses and abhore the military juntas actions in Fiji but, unlike the naive reporter who wrote that article, I am not about to assume that Fiji Water somehow endorses this government through its silence. Instead, I see a reporter with a personal agenda trying to first bully a foreign government into her way of thinking and then trying to bully a company into fighting her fight for her.
jon says:
August 25th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I just don’t understand how owners of a company can make so much money and feel they “need” that much. They can easily be giving back way more than they are right now. Its a matter of materialism and those who can see a nother human being be less fortunate by chance or the environment in trouble and still not give back more is just a self issue that the owners have. It could be any one of us living in the 3rd world country but we got lucky. But as Americans we take everything for granted. It is nto just fiji water either, its most companies. I feel hopeless when someone is in position to make a LARGE change in the enviornment or a LARGE change for a lesser community, yet they choose not to, because they need every penny they make. It’s just a sad world we live in.
Gail Freeman says:
August 25th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Fiji Water is my favorite bottled water – I live in Northeastern United States; and while I have healthy tap water available, it does not taste very good. Fiji Water does taste good.
I think that a lot of well-meaning Americans and other interested parties do not understand the nature of Business – businesses are not charities or social revolutionary entities. If a business is located in a country ruled by a regime that welcomes and facilitates that business; the business would be wise not to publiclly denounce that government.
I am glad to hear that FIJI Water is giving back to the local community; by paying good wages and providing health care and building schools and foundations for Fiji’s future. I hope that the extraction of the wonderful water is not depleting the aquifer, or won’t deplete it in the future.
As for the controversy over plastic – I can only hope that cheaper biodegradable plastic will be developed for use in food and beverage and other packaging.
Nancy N says:
August 25th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
We have also partnered with the Rotary Club and Pacific Water for Life to bring clean water to 100 communities in Fiji this year.
Above is a quote from the the FIJI people, as above. I find it strange that teh Rotary Club has a water project when FIJI could just give their bottled water …ha !
jdtew says:
August 25th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
The ‘boycott’ impulse is kneejerk, simplistic and ineffective. The people who suffer are at the low end of the spectrum. In my work in southern Haiti, I talk to villagers who ask, “you are American, can you bring us a sweatshop ?”
FijiWater may not be admirable, but it seems to be trying to appear admirable. It may become admirable at some point, if the water holds out.
Daniel says:
August 25th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I’m sorry that the Author was arrested, detained, and threatened with rape by Fiji Authorities. However, what does that have to do with Fiji Water Co.? Nothing.
Honestly the story; when you read both sides of it, comes across as a jaded eco-terrorist; angry that a business which apparrently by their own admission, is making money, and re-divesting it at least in a small part, to the country they are in.
I am a bit shocked that the company only employs 350 Fijans, and only has a payroll of 5 million dollars; but that is still 350 fijans who are employed and 5 million dollars in payroll that they would not have.
To me, this smacks of the journalists going to Afghanistan and reporting at the horrible atrocities of War, without going to the villages and seeing the schools, daughters being educated, free democratic system, and people being clothed rather than shackled and held down by the Taliban.
Do bad things happen in 3rd world countries and businesses? yes
Do bad things happen in non-third world countries and businesses? Yes..
But should a business be demonized because they don’t take a political stance? my opinion no.
GregGo says:
August 25th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
It really is all about money, isn’t it? In most of the US we are blessed with potable water, which may or may not taste good. There can be controversies on how many of us get our water, but the bottom line, aside from a municipality fee for access, it is relatively free.
I am a very recent, bottled water ‘only’ drinker and very picky about the taste of my water and will admit that Fiji brand and Crystal Geyser were some of my favorites.
Concerned about the environment and how many plastic bottles one now sees littering the land, my wife purchased a special water pitcher to filter our tap water. I had told her in the past that I wouldn’t drink the tap water, filtered or not, it tasted terrible. However, I was very surprised at how well it ended up tasting one time through the filter. I even sent the same batch of water through the filter again and it seemed to taste even better then if it were bottled.
Now, I have decided to purchase a filter that fits on the faucet as well. I can’t believe how much we will be saving now that we will only be paying a few cents for a gallon of water and the wonderful feeling of no longer adding to the plastic bottle stream.
To top things off, I used to carry bottle water during hikes or rounds of disc golf, in my quest to find an alternative I have found water carrying backpacks. I can easily put my filtered water in the device and once again, not create any waste.
As individuals we can only do so much, but the corporations out there, they have the ability to control so much, let’s see them really do some good out there and not just market it.
Meme says:
August 25th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Sorry, I’m just done with you people. Bottled water is ridiculous but when I bought it, I used to buy yours and ONLY yours.
I’m done.
I sincerely hope there is a lot of hyperbole in that original article, if not, you have no souls or are entirely too ignorant to run this company.
I may not know all the facts, but I am a consumer and I don’t feel you’ve spoken to your side very well.
Brian says:
August 25th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
This is just another greedy corporate business feeding off the woes of underdeveloped nation with government problems. It happens to be good business plan. The thing that ticks me if how they can even own land on a aquifer. That is telling the Fijians you live on land that has water but you cant have it and were going to steal it and sell it for high price. People cant even get water when they geologically have it
Worried says:
August 25th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
I read that Fiji Water laid off not only 40% of it’s domestic workers, and almost all of it’s international workers, but something like 200 of the people working in it’s bottling plant. Wouldn’t that only leave 150 workers manning the automated bottling process?
Seems like Mr. Six is quoting old payroll reports….
But as he states, it is a remote area, so where are those fired Fijians going to get other work? That doesn’t seem like a very good business practice. And even if these workers are making good money for Fiji, what is that in US money? $2.00 an hour?
Barney L. Cornett says:
August 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Lynda and Stewart Resnick, owners of Fiji Water Co. know that what they are doing is nothing less than the “Raping and Exploitation” of the Fijian peoples only natural resource, “Their Water”! I’m not surprised (maybe I should be, but I’ not) that Celebrities like Obama, Paris Hilton, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Lynda and Stewart Resnick and others of their Ilk can be such Hypocrites when it comes to the matter of “Conservation”! When you get right down to the issue of “Conservation”, you’ll find out that “Conservation” to them isn’t their problem, they all belong to that 1 percent of the population that controls 99 percent of the money in the world while the rest of us struggle to earn the 1 percent of the money that’s left over! In this case, 99 percent of the worlds population is forced to Conserve, itís drummed into our heads that weíre the ones responsible for the sorry shape that our planets in, when in fact, the 1 percent like Obama, Paris Hilton, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, owners of Fiji Water Co. are the ones who are the most responsible for the sad condition of the planet! Think about it!
Peace!
Robert says:
August 25th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
What I would like to know is this, the money that Six has said has been paid out by Fiji water, was it paid to the military junta? Does Fiji water know for a fact that this money that they have paid is going to improve all the people on Fiji, or as is in most cases of Juntas, just being pocketed by leaders, and nothing is actually being done to help the rest of the island. Fiji water may have been told plans to bring fresh water to villages, but have they looked to see how their money has been spent? And not just in villages the juntas want to show them, but also in village picked at random by officials at Fiji water. You have to do more then turn a blind eye to what the military is doing with the money you provide to them. As the old quote goes “power corrupts”
Ryan says:
August 25th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Folks, just don’t buy bottled water, period. It’s an absolute waste of money, waste of water, and a waste of resources to make, ship, and market the stupid bottles, which are then pollutants. Get a frickin refillable bottle and drink from a fountain or tap. We have some of the cleanest water in the world coming out of our taps! For FREE!
Caroline says:
August 26th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Fiji water is truly a waste of money. There is no reason not to drink American tap water. Plastic bottles will be gone soon anyway. Someone who really cares about our environment would not use a plastic bottle because of the waste it creates and the waste produced by creating it. These are simple facts. Sure, the Hollywood crowd of sheep might need bottled Fiji water for their dog bowls, but not the rest of us. I like to think that I have more common sense and concern for the environment than Paris Hilton or “P Diddy” and would like to set a good example for my kids. Not to mention that I dont have $2 for a bottle of drinking water during these economic times!
There are so many good things you can do to be green. Eliminating high priced bottles of water from your grocery list is a great start.
I have yet to read anything that convinces me that these well-connected Hollywood corps care about me or the people of Fiji. Its all about the dollar. And of course, the sheer stupidity of people like Paris Hilton.
FIJI Media Gal says:
August 26th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Meme,
I am very sorry that you feel we haven’t stated our side well. Are there any particular points that we could elaborate on? We would be happy to answer any questions that you feel have not yet been satisfactorily answered.
David says:
August 26th, 2009 at 10:56 am
FIJI Media Gal,
There *are* particular points you could elaborate on, and they’ve already been put to you repeatedly. If you would, please comment on:
1. “the polluting background of FIJI Water’s owners past and present”
2. “the companyís decision to funnel assets through tax havens”
3. “Will Fiji Water owners Lynda and Stewart Resnick, who in the companyís PR materials contrast our tap water supply with the ‘living water’ found in their bottles, disclose the full volume of pesticides that their farming and flower companies use every year? Could limiting those inputs create better water here at home?”
4. “Do [FIJI's] charitable contributions come close to matching the 30 percent corporate tax rate it would be paying had it not been granted a tax holiday in Fiji since 1995?”
Regarding #4, I understand that the social roles of business entities differ from philanthropic organizations, and that I should not expect you to operate as the latter. But transparent figures would help ensure consumers that you are at least morally neutral, rather than detrimental. We consumers require this transparency because there is an obvious disparity between FIJI’s stated stance on environmental issues and the environmentally deplorable business practices of your owners’ other ventures. How do you recommend that we green-minded buyers absolve our cognitive dissonance?
Please respond to each numbered question specifically, rather than evading them with a wash feel-good anecdotes.
Local Boy says:
August 26th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Sitting in your comfortable, heated, cosy homes, you question Fiji Water’s carbon footprints… What about green-house gas emissions from the United States? Aren’t you the second highest emitter behind China?
Aren’t you responsible for my island home losing a piece of herself to rising sea level? Why don’t millions of Americans boycott Ford or GM? That really oughta put a dent on carbon emissions.
All these blogs against Fiji Water scream of hypocracy. Tell me you don’t own a car or two or that you haven’t EVER been on a plane (like most Fijians) or that you would love to see the oil plants shut down. After all, you are a champion of the environment.
Agreed, Fiji Water is not perfect…but at least its something. The state our economy is in right now, we need every investor we can get our hands on.
If you boycott Fiji Water, its not the company that will suffer…its already made millions. Take an example from the global recession, the first thing to go are the workers…always the workers.
Millions have been laid off and you want to add another 350 to it. The lot who are probably going to end up far worse since their province offers no other large scale employment opportunity.
The funny thing is, when a conglomerate doesn’t do charity people point fingers saying they are greedy selfish misers… and when it does, its a PR stunt. Some people are never satisfied.
P.S. Where were all of you when ENRON happenned?
BeSlow says:
August 26th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Fiji isn’t very much to people who do not live here. People in the US think that Fiji is a brand of water – and don’t even know that it is a country. You come from a country that is rich and has access to so many things, we don’t. We don’t have much of anything. And we probably never will. 350 jobs may not seem like a lot to you, but businesses in Fiji are very small. 350 people working in a company is a lot to us.
Journalists have opinions. Their job is to make you see it from their perspective. If this particular journalist had a bad run in with the government – that really has nothing to do with Fiji Water.
If there is 1 hope that a country has that makes it look positive and you crush it you are not hurting yourself – you will be un affected. You are on the other side of the planet. A side that does not have to worry about sea water level rising. A side that is comfortable and famous. You also have so many manufacturers that export their products in larger quantities with larger carbon foot prints to our side of the world. We suffer more for the things that you and your country do than what we do, to affect you.
Fiji Water has received world wide recognition that is admirable. It is inspirational to us, the people of the Fiji Islands to see a product of our country in the hands, bags and rooms of the most powerful and beautiful people in the world. Let us develop and be known to the world. Water is water – but this one tastes better and is very much filled with love and support of the people of this tiny island – Fiji.
Becky says:
August 26th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
It’s a dreadful govt., and Fiji W literally carries water for it, this can’t be denied. Fiji can’t really take the high ground (defending their unsustainable practices, and touting their charitable work there), if at the same time they are inevitably and unavoidably giving a nice shine to a deplorable govt., and if they are depleting that natural resource. Fiji can’t really take the high ground, while oddly refusing to discuss the dollars spent on the charitable project. Methinks it wouldn’t sound so good in dollars, against the money Fiji make from the Fijians resources. The treatment of the journalist had nothing to do with her interest in Fiji? Fiji Water didn’t have to know about it, to be complicit. FW is in bed with the bad guys, there is no way not to be, in that situation. It was a democracy when Fiji W went there? Now it isn’t. Fiji Water, you made millions. Do something amazing for the little people there, so amazing you wouldn’t be embarrassed to report the dollars, and then take a stand. Leave it you have to, and send the money to all those people you are worried about from overseas. You said you already made enough money, right? Your arguments just don’t hold up, against the horror of a govt like that, and considering the goals Fiji Water itself states. Saying that anyone who drives a car should not criticize Fiji W for its complicity with the govt there, is just deflecting the major point. “A product in the hands, bags and rooms of the most powerful and beautifu lpeople in the world.” A native Fijian? Or classic PR talk?
Local Boy says:
August 26th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Becky…
I live under this dreadful govt. that you speak of. In fact the Prime Minister’s office occupied by a military dictator right across the road from mine.
I look out the window and can literally peer into his office- no need to tell me about the situation here…
Let me tell you the reality on the ground, not as it is seen by a reporter with little understanding of our culture and society.
Fiji Water DOES NOT carry the regime’s water…its the people’s water- mine, my neighbours, the guy on the next island…OURS.
If we the people of Fiji are appreciative of the efforts of Fiji Water, then why is the rest of the world’s not realizing that it IS significant by our standards.
We are a speck on the world, but through Fiji Water we go places many can’t. Have you ever been to the White House?
He who has the heart to help, has the right to criticise… come build a school and then talk. That’s all I’m saying.
I am truly sorry for what the reporter went through- trust me, I have first hand knowlegde of it… and that is one of the reasons I say Fiji Water is NOT the govt; or its representative to the world.
Put things in the right context in their rightful places.
In bed with the bad guys? What would you have them do- close up shop? Fiji’s second largest foreign exchange earner gone in a flash… what the heck, its not like we need the imports…its just food anyway.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pervez_Musharraf_and_George_W._Bush
Former Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf looks quite fitting standing in the very halls of democracy… The White House.
Local Boy says:
August 26th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Becky…
P.S Fiji Water didn’t say it had enough money…I DID. An average Fijian. I have no allegiance to the company. I am just proud to have its product as my ambassador.
My comments on Ford and GM were not targetted at the political controversy that has been raised- its meant to open your eyes to the hypocrisy of being the 2nd highest emitter of green house gases and telling Fiji Water that it carbon foot prints are too big.
The US alone produces enough green houses gases to drown and most of her neighbouring countries…
FIJI Media Gal says:
August 26th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Jon,
I hope you saw today’s blog post about how FIJI Water is indeed giving back to the people of Fiji. In case you missed it, here’s the link: http://blog.fijigreen.com/2009/08/fiji-water-foundation-philanthropy-clean-water-education-health/
FIJI Media Gal says:
August 26th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Al,
I urge you to read the comments from the Fijians themselves to get an idea of the sort of impact FIJI Water has. Or better yet, reach out to them on social media — Twitter, Facebook, etc. — and ask them first hand. I think you’ll find a different side to the story.
Chris says:
August 27th, 2009 at 5:50 am
With all due respect to both sides of this debate, it has always been my opinion that economic development almost always HAS to occur in ANY oppressive state in order for the people to free themselves from the day-to-day duties of staying alive. I doubt very much that Fiji Water is happy to be stuck between the rock of social obligation and the hard place the government has put them in. Therefore, as much as we may hate the behaviors and policy of the company, we should understand that it is most certainly the lesser of two evils; a company like Fiji Water cannot simply shut down their operations and leave the entirety of their company high and dry. They’ve got to do the best they can in mitigating the pain of the Fijian regime; its a triage that they have to perform and some sacrifices have to be made. I laud their efforts and can empathize with their position; they likely cannot even comment on what they’d really like to see happen, so let them be and hope that, given their apparent altruistic tendencies, they are doing whatever they can to avoid hypocrisy and help people.
Sometimes a business has to grin and bear it in order to stay alive *and* do the right thing; the realities of doing business in an imperfect world that has a different view on fairness than ours.
beatice says:
August 27th, 2009 at 10:10 am
The fact that we are shipping water all over the world, and paying 1000x what we pay for it out of the faucet is just STUPID.
If you want to be cool… get bottle and bring your own water.
Fiji Water ? Leave it for the Fijians.
No mas Fiji says:
August 27th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Showed the article to my wife and we will not be buying any Fiji water products ever again. It is sad that Fiji water tries to take a high ground here. This response is pathetic.
FIJI Media Gal says:
August 27th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
No mas Fiji,
We’re sorry that you believed everything in the article. If there are any specific concerns we can address for you, please let me know.
FIJI Green Gal says:
August 27th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Nancy N,
While FIJI Water is happy and ready to provide Fijian communities in need with its bottled water product, as it has multiple times during disaster relief support, developing essential water infrastructure is a very different kind of a project. Very much like in our homes, when we wish to drink water, we reach for the bottle or perhaps fill a glass from the tap. When we want to shower, cook, or wash things, we simply turn the faucets and the municipal infrastructure and plumbing in our homes will deliver the much-needed water. Unfortunately, people in many Fijian villages lack this kind of engineering support. And so while a case of water may relieve thirst or general need for water temporarily, it is these permanent infrastructure projects that will deliver lasting benefits to the Fijian communities that desperately need clean water access.
FIJI Media Gal says:
August 27th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Worried,
The numbers quoted by Rob Six are the post-layoff numbers. Unfortunately like other companies in Fiji and around the world, we have been impacted by the global economic slowdown and we have been forced to trim expenses, which has resulted in layoffs. While we wish we had sufficient business to employ more, we are proud that we continue to employ nearly 350 people and that we are one of the highest-paying employers in Fiji, offering a salary that is often close to three times the nation’s typical manufacturing wage.
In addition, we also provide our workforce with the life insurance, medical insurance, access to interest-free cash loans to assist with education and funeral expenses for family members, bottled water, free transport to and from work, and an on-site registered nurse who is available to all employees at any time.
FIJI Media Gal says:
August 27th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Caroline,
We’re sorry you feel that way. We’re curious as to how you would like us to respond. Are you suggesting that our product should be filled in glass? (We know that that is much less environmentally than plastic. More info: http://www.fijigreen.com/LessPackaging.html) Or perhaps your concern is that it is too expensive? (Yes, it costs more, as it is a premium brand in high-quality packaging to preserve its taste and purity). Or do you feel that it should not be shipped around the world? (Even understanding that a bottle of water trucked across the U.S. — rather than shipped on ocean liners from Fiji — would produce more transportation-caused emissions.) Or do you feel that our product is a waste because it causes more environmental damage than tap water? (Statistics show that bottled water is actually taking share away from carbonated and other sugared beverages, which are much less healthy and have greater carbon footprints.)
Local Boy says:
August 27th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
All this negative reporting on Fiji Water compels me to think that this is corporate espionage at work.
I don’t doubt the responses in the blogs, but the origins of various reports on Fiji Water and the ripple effect across internet media raises a few questions.
When the world has so many bigger problems on its hands, why pick on Fiji Water?
Dan says:
August 28th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Fiji was poor before FIJI Water got there and will be poor long after the aquifer is drained……so all you green thumb morons need to find something better to argue about….get a life…FIJI Water ftw
J Todd says:
August 29th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I love Fiji Water and don’t care where it comes from! It’s a great product and tastes terrific and has really cool bottles. I agree that this company is being unfairly picked on, and that we Americans are so hypocritical it’s amazing. As we drive around in our luxury automobiles, ensuring our houses are kept at 72 degrees and complaining that we couldn’t afford the most recent release of the XBox because of the recession. Give me a break! We are the largest consumer and wasteful society ON THE PLANET! Now, all of you all who are wasting your time complaining on here, go do something productive. Try living a carbon free life for a day…bet you can’t do it! Now, pass me a bottle of cold Fiji Water, I’m thirsty!
Jeez…I HATE pathetic whiney Americans! (And, yes, I was born and raised here before you tell me to leave…and go somewhere else)
B says:
August 29th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I think it is just wrong to ship water half way around the world. What a waste of resources.
I think the owners of Fiji Water could and should direct more of the company’s financial profits toward projects designed to truly lift the people of Fiji up and out of poverty.
How much money do the owners of this venture reap?
Is it right for some people to have so much more than others?
I think it’s wrong for some people to have so much while others have so little.
It is sad to see people in such eager and ambitious pursuit of financial profit – it dehumanizes the workers to which their profits are dependent.
Basically, I think the Fiji Water Company is exploitative – and in a bad way.
Boycott Fiji Water. It’s harming people and planet.
FIJI Media Gal says:
August 31st, 2009 at 11:50 am
B,
Please read more about our efforts in Fiji, which are all aimed at bringing a better quality of life to the FIjian people: http://www.fijiwaterfoundation.org/pages.cfm/our-projects/
If you have questions about any of the projects, please feel free to ask.
Pat says:
September 1st, 2009 at 10:22 pm
I can’t believe how much research people do to decide what water to drink. Probably because there are so many options in the U.S. supermarkets. How many brands of bottled water are available in Fiji?
From what I see, Fiji Water is doing plenty in developing programs to help locals. They also provide jobs in the U.S. and these days that is very important.
I do not see any reason that Fiji Water should try and make Fiji a Water Republic version of a Banana Republic by involving themselves in the local government workings. This would then force their local employees to take a side on an issue that would divide friends and family in a country of such small towns.
Feh says:
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I will not buy any bottled water because plastic never goes away, and I have access to clean drinking water for free. Does it taste different? No. Even if it did taste different, if the worst thing that happens to me is I have to drink water with a taste to it, I’m doing pretty well.
What keeps me from buying your water specifically is a lack of transparency, the massive difference in pay between the highest and lowest in your company, and the fact that there is simply no such thing as “premium water”. It’s a marketing ploy. There’s drinkable water, and polluted water…just because you put drinkable water in a square bottle with a flower sticker on it on it, ship it half way around the world and charge $2.50 a bottle after duping some Hollywood rubes into promoting it, does not mean it is actually any different from plain ol’ H2O…trust me, I’ve had better, for free.
Sure, you cite your own website saying that plastic is better, but do you have any independent sources? No, you do not because there are none. There is no independent person out there who is going to say “Yes, a disposable plastic bottle that never goes away is much better than a reusable glass which can also be recycled into another useful product”. Oh, and your link doesn’t work anyway…so who knows what you cite on it.
EK says:
September 4th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Fiji Water, and all companies for that matter, owns the responsibility to practice business in a way that supports the planet and does not harm the planet or its inhabitants.
Fiji Water does taste wonderful. I encourage the owners and team at Fiji Water to ensure that their practices are beneficial to the world, in addition to themselves, and that they develop a recyclable glass bottle that can be sold in 1 litre to 2.5 gallon bottles.
Until I am confident that Fiji Water’s business practices effect the planet in a positive way, I will switch to VOSS.
tom says:
September 6th, 2009 at 11:23 am
the very first paragraph of this article identifies this as
” yellow journalism ”
at least the ‘weekly world news’ is funny.
this is ugly …
Terry says:
September 6th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Saw the peace on DemocrcyNow. Yes FIJI needs to do something. Your company is taking a big hit in terms of credibility.
I did not know Fiji was run by a dictatorhip.
Stephen says:
September 8th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
We wrote about this a long time before Mother Jones did, although they really came through with the first hand reporting and outstanding journalism:
http://toxicculture.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/dont-drink-fiji-water/
Mica says:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:41 am
I have a question for Fiji Media Gal:
Is the company looking into using biodegradable/composting bottles at some point in the near future? Such as these:
http://www.biotaspringwater.com/
http://www.aquamantra.com/
FIJI Media Gal says:
September 9th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Mica,
At this time, there are a couple of issues with biodegradable bottles:
1. It is unclear whether they actually result in a net environmental benefit, given the additional land and agricultural requirements to grow the raw inputs such as corn.
2. They may not actually degrade in a landfill since that process requires oxygen that is very limited in landfills, which are designed to prevent decay. Composting is the proper way to dispose of biodegradable products but most consumers do not have access to composting.
3. They pollute and cause complications in recycling streams, as they are not recyclable but are often confused for such plastics.
Having said that, it is an option that FIJI Water continues to monitor and evaluate. Our primary concern is the safety and quality of our product, and until we are assured that alternate packaging will provide the same level of performance, preserve the integrity of our water and result in lesser environmental impact compared to recycled PET, we will not substitute our current high-quality PET for any other material.
r says:
September 9th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Fiji’s military dictatorship is small potatoes compared to the United States of America. When did Fiji last invade some country and spend trillions of dollars laying waste to it?
Drinking bottled water is stupid, but going after Fiji water is far more stupid.
Meanwhile America beverage makers continue to put high fructose corn sweetner in their products guaranteeing obesity, diabetes, increased consumption (you don’t get what real sugar gives you so you consume more), and health problems related to allergies to corn.
Going after Fiji Water? What about Coca Cola and Pepsi?
I don’t buy bottled water. I will buy some Fiji Water next time I see some.
I bet they don’t put PHOSPHORIC ACID in their product either. Why do Pepsi and Coke put phosphoric acid in theirs? To improve digestion?
Bill says:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I read a lot of criticism here from people who read an article, don’t bother to investigate the facts, and make a decision based solely on the ONE source of information. What, do you only watch ONE news channel as well? Or just read ONE paper? Jeez!What about the replies from those who live in Fiji and say they’re GLAD and APRRECIATIVE of Fiji Water? Do you naysayers and critics come to this board with your opinion in hand all ready to type out, or do you READ and try to LEARN from the posts left by others? Reminds me of the type of conversationalist who doesn’t engage in the LISTENING part of a conversation, but who merely waits until the other person has finished speaking so they can say their piece.
Bill says:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
To Feh,
The massive difference in pay between the highest and lowest in your company??? If that’s all it takes to persuade you not to purchase a company’s products, then what in the world do you buy?? Do you buy gas, drive a car, wear clothes, eat food… just where do you draw the line? Bottled water? This pay discrepancy has been growing for decades just about everywhere.
Long says:
September 12th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Thanks to FIJI for offering this platform for an open debate about the Mother Jones article. This is the right way to go.
THIS BEING SAID, I am struck by your lack of responsiveness about the most serious criticisms that have been formulated: MJ’s author asked questions in her article and in her comments, as has “David” on August 26th, 2009. Why won’t FIJI seriously attempt to address those?
A serious response would be valuable, instead of only offering links to FIJI’s public relations websites.
These, media gal, are the specific concerns you should address.
And to those who say that a business should not have to be held to any moral standards, I strongly disagree with you. Not only because conducting business is a human activity that should respond to ethical standards like all other activities, but also because it actually makes business sense to act morally.
Of course, businesses that base their entire PR on their superior moral conduct are more exposed to criticism in that respect. They should be ready to face the criticism and – if needed – take responsibility for their mistakes.
mandy says:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
What’s wrong with your own water? Why can’t Fijians run this company and make their own profits instead of relying on some money hungry international company to do it for them? Because they weren’t business savy to think of it in the first place, so FIJI water went and took advantage of their naivity, hence the original lease of 99 years which was established many years ago.
Their culture is different to capitalist nations, they’ll bend over backwards to help out at no cost. Hence the exploitation from gold now to water. When the gold diggers left, they gave them no notice, just left them with a contaminated water supply, the same region where FIJI water is located and living conditions likened to Bangladesh and those were built by the gold company to house their employers! Aren’t we whities good. Go in there, take their resources because ours our all drying up and it’s cheap. Give them a pintance, call it a wage and make them work 11 hours a day. And when it all dries up, cheerio.
Yeah the Fijians depend on these companies because the industrialists have made it seem viable and have distracted them from their culture of subsistant farming methods, growing only what they need. Then the industrialist came via colonisation and showed them another world they could of done without.
I still dont understand how you can give up your natural resources and not get anything for it. The Mirrar people in Kakadu set up agreements with the Rio Tinto (uranium miners)so that they could make a living off their resources. The evironmental impact on all areas from industrialisation leaves me parched.
I reckon FIJI water should be providing the surrounding with schools, water storage units, health, etc because they certainly are making a mean profit for something that is free. Not so to the Fijians, whom still pay the same price for their own water internationally, only now it comes packaged in a square bottle cos they cant drink their other water because its been contaminated by the gold mining industry.
I love yFIJI green’s notions of environmental awareness. Hooray you turned off the lights for an hour during Earth Hour, as your churned out 50,000 plastic botlles and filled them with water. Are you not seeing the contradiction?? And another one of your sustainable ideas is to employ a windmill? Brilliant Watson! What a joke! How much water are you wasting to produce water? How much oil are you wasting to make it, ship it delivery it? The world is running out of our precious resourses. Stop commodifying what is a human right.
Why do you think that Fiji is in threat of rising waters, because of companies whom insist on making a buck to the detriment of our earth.
Yeah we can stop buying water, I do. But why is the onus placed on the domestic uses? Why can’t the industrialist consider the earth before profit. This article isn’t about Fijians and the junta, it’s bigger than that. It’s about the health of the earth and a need to maintain a sustainable standard of living for all whilst the earth can try to reproduce itself again. It won’t happen if we keep thinking about our hip profit.
Let’s raise our glasses and toast all of you whom continue to rape and pillage the earth. Hope you don’t have children.
miriam says:
September 18th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Some people on this comment board are saying that, because the people of Fiji apparently appreciate the jobs and resources that Fiji Water provides to them, the company should not be criticized. Why resign to the lesser of two evils? Why shouldn’t we insist that Fiji control its own resources? Do Fijians really NEED American corporations in order to survive? Well, the answer is apparently “yes,” when they live under a repressive, military dictatorship. Fiji Water helps these people survive in a hostile environment, but survival is always the bare minimum. It seems that, with the help of Fiji Water, Fijians are able to resign to life under a military dictatorship (and, in return, they compromise their sovereignty and allow the land they live upon to be destroyed). Since when is resignation productive?
Jim says:
September 18th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I notice some confusion in the blogs about progressive politics. Mother Jones is a muckraking magazine, and many of us readers as well as its principals understand that the movement is going to attract some people with very idealistic notions of fairness, who write above. Some of the critics in this blog take pride in pointing out that it is not realistic or entirely “fair” to ask a private company to oppose a military dictatorship. The purpose of muckraking is to pressure towards a good cause. I agree that the Fiji company may not itself be “bad”. But if it is powerful (and it is) and a boycott induces it to take a more progressive stance, then let’s do it. This does not mean that the muckraker has an exaggerated sense of idealism. He just understands that the only chance for freedom in this world is to keep the pressure on from below. And he remembers that if it looks like the pressure is going to hurt more than help at a given moment, then some thought is required. We’re not at that moment with Fiji. So think strategically.
Local Boy says:
September 21st, 2009 at 3:32 pm
All right people,
A lot has been said to which I may not be able to reply. But I will again try to paint a picture of Fiji as it is today.
1. US corporation stealing our water and money: No company in Fiji had the capability to undertake such a venture back in the day. If it had been done locally, would have probably failed like many ventures have. People who were in positions of power when Fiji Water was established were some of the greediest and most conniving in our history. We had neither the vision nor the resources.
2. Frank Bainimarama is a vindictive and vengeful person, anyone who stands against him will pay the price. This is a man who has not thought twice about torturing people at the height of the coup. Politicians have had their houses stoned and cars smashed. Diplomats have been un-ceremoniously evicted from the country. Expatriate publishers have been huddled into cars in the dark of night and shoved on the first flight out of Fiji. DO YOU THINK FIJI WATER IS IMMUNE OR PROTECTED JUST BECAUSE ITS ‘RICH’??!! The dictatorship bows to no one, it has forsaken millions of dollars worth of trade from its neighbours…Fiji Water would be foolish to take on the regime. It would be slapped with new, exorbitant taxes overnight just to make it shut up…and it would too.
3. Morals: I think Fiji Media Gal has been pushing these quite effectively. I don’t speak for the company so I have nothing to say there. I would be glad to see Fiji Water raised its moral values and gave back to the community more. Not against charity at all… go on Fiji Water, dig into your off shore accounts, its not like the bosses are gonna take it with them when they walk into the pearly gates.
4. Credibility: Like every other right minded person in Fiji, the company needs to huddle down and go under the radar…if it pops its head out, it might just get shot off.
There’s more to say, but time I have none.
Local Girl says:
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Here here Local Boy.
Why don’t the whole bang lot of you get yourselves to Fiji and come check things out for yourselves.
This female reporter who talks of her journey to Fiji Water as she “swerved up unpaved mountain roads linked by rickety wooden bridges..” Hello, did anyone ask her why she chose that path? There is after all one road that goes around the whole of Viti Levu the main island of Fiji and a small portion of it is still under construction. The remainder of the road right round the other side of the island is completely paved, why would this female reporter decide to take the most uncomfortable route? None of the employees take that route, nor do any of the Trucks take that route?
It is extremely unfortunate that she was treated in such a way during her stay in Fiji, but how many people do you hear of that come to Fiji ever get such treatment? Certainly if she were just as arrogant, tenacious and provoking as in her article with the military or officials i would certainly not expect them to smile, roll out the red carpet she may be accustomed to in the US and say thank you – hello! its a military dictatorship! Some amount of brains and caution should be exercised.
This tax incentive everyone talks about – it was a 10 year tax relief that was offered to all Foreign Investors of the day to encourage foreign investment in Fiji. The relief might I add has ceased – so whats the big deal? It’s not only Fiji Water that was granted this incentive. ITs not like Fiji Water did some underhanded deal to acquire this tax relief. There are other hoteliers in Fiji who are still benefiting from the same tax relief that is spoken of.
The 99 year lease – this is not somethign that was dreamt up for
Fiji Water alone. Why, the land that my family home is built on in Suva which was built by my grandfather is on Native Land and also has a 99 year lease which expires next year. This is nothing new to us in Fiji.
I notice nobody talks about the thousands of litres of water that was supplied to the nation of Fiji during the floods, where Fiji Waters Neighbour the town of Ba were out of municipal water for 3 months.
Nobody talks about Fiji Waters immediate response and the trucks of water in cases and in flexitanks that were distributed on a daily basis for nearly 4 months to evacuation centres, relief houses, health centres and homes nor how the employees were sent on company time to ensure their brothers and sisters across the nation received water.
Nobody talks about the Water Tanks that are continuously installed and were installed at the hospitals and health centres during this period alone that were also refilled on a daily basis by the Fiji Water trucks during the water shortage.
AND………………….Nobody talks about how the resources and costs associated with this task alone were greater than any foreign aid provided by any of our neighbouring countries….
Fiji Water is a relatively young company in the mix of things and appears to be trying its damndest to do the right thing by the people and the environment. I believe given the chance, their initiatives will surpass all others in the industry and if us Fijians support them, we will one day be proud enough to boast from this tiny speck on the map to the rest of the world at being leaders in the industry.
Most people talk about how stupid it is to buy bottled water. I would suggest it is stupid to buy any bottled beverage other than water – after all what health incentive could their possibly be to buy a bottle of beer, wine, juice, soda etc…
In the grand scheme of things, I would ask you all to be considerate of the people. The Grass roots people who ultimately feel the pinch the most, those who don’t have the power to influence anything. Forcing Fiji Water to make a stand against the government of the day has a ripple effect that will hit hardest the man who plants root crops for his family, the woman who dives for cockles to feed her family, the child who cant go to school because s/he has no lunch or busfare or shoes to walk the road to school.
These our brothers and sisters, and I ask you to think of them the next time you pass up buying a bottle of Fiji Water and not the Military Dictatorship that we are for the moment powerless to change.
Jeff Smith says:
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:50 am
I have been known as the Fiji water guy for years – always drinking Fiji – I would go through hundreds of 1 liter bottles – but now that I see you are following the crowd and falling for the “man made global warming” lie – your water just leaves a bad taste in my mouth! Jeff Smith, East Liverpool, Ohio
Artist says:
September 24th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
wow, I’m gonna stick to my tap water. I have no idea how businesses do their thing so I’ll spend my money as frugally as possible.
Ted says:
September 25th, 2009 at 4:09 am
Fiji Water is a con job on the country. Tax dodging companies like this who owe hundreds of millions to Fiji have no place in Fiji. If only the military government attcked these sort of corporate con artists with the same gusto as they the press.
Donovan12 says:
September 27th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Fiji water has clearly displayed a determination to better the nation of Fiji, by providing better educational oppurtunities, providing numerous job oppurtunities critical to the population, and clearing up water sources. How can we condemn a company that donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to the betterment of children, to making their education better and more efficient? How can we condemn a company that donates money to clear up water sources and make it increasingly available for the Fijians? How can we condemn a company that provides chances for money to a nation that is in need for it?
Because Fiji is selling water bottled in Fiji does not mean it is supporting a regime against the idea of democracy. Fiji water may have influence in the nation of Fiji, but there is only so much that the company can do. A company cannot go up against an entire government regime and expect immediate change, immediate acceptance and response.
Fiji water is spreading Fijian water, not spreading the idea that they accept a dictatorial regime. When they are providing many oppurtunities in jobs, clean water, and education that otherwise would not potentially be there, we cannot condemn them for being there, for not pulling out some to show that they donít accept. They are provding chances that are necessary.
As for the green question. @Jeff Smith, no Fiji water cannot fall for the ìman made global warmingî lie, for man did not make it. But man is accelerating it at such a rapid pace. The last major global warming period in Earthís history took millions of years from the exhausts of volcanic craters and plant life, however, with man, we have accelerated it so that it is taking only hundreds of years, if that.
Fiji water is promoting the ideas of being green. They promote the need to better the environment by recycling, reusing, and reducing. They promote the need of reducing carbon emissions. They are spreading awareness of being pro-environment, opening the eyes of those who did not realize the impact humankind has on the environment. One of their primary goals is to make the environment healthier and reduce humankindís threat against the earth.
Also concerning education, Fiji Water’s efforts to improve the educational oppurtunities can help greatly when concerning the government. During the Age of Empires, during Medieval times, during Ancient times, education and literacy was frowned down upon becuase it promoted thinking. This in turn promoted questioning, which promoted the demand for change, which promoted actual change. The higher echelons of society did not want the lower classes to think for themselves and demand change for equality. Many dictator governments restrict education to some citizens or prevent a lot of funding in order to discourage this. Providing better educational facilities will cause people to work harder against the government to return to a democratic state. Education will not force people to bow down under the Fiji Water company instead of the government, but will promote liberation and change.
Local Boy says:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
It seems people (not just Americans) are unable to see the bigger picture here… Open up your mind, don’t just believe one side of the story.
Be objective, weigh up the arguments and you will see that Fiji Water is not the evil it is made out to be.
Like any other conglomerate it does what it has to in order to capitalise and increase returns- its the same everywhere.
Is Fiji Water the only company to have off shore accounts in tax havens? What about the other companies owned by millionaires and billionaires in the US…aren’t they too involved in practices morally corrupt?
Leave that aside, look at the benefits to normal Fijians, see the schools, water tanks, heart operations, scholarships…
All this will suffer for every bottle that Americans boycott.
Inadvertently, you will force Fiji Water to stop what projects it has running here…they are all funded from the company’s profits. No sale, no profit, no aid…suffer the innocent poor Fijians.
Thanks America… thanks a lot.
P.S Ted: The interim government tried to introduce a new form of tax for every bottle sold at market price in country of destination. This would have raked in huge revenue for the state. If good intentions, it could have been put to good use. But ALL bottled water operations stopped for a week or so, Fiji Water, Aqua Pacific and a handful others.
The protest would have been endless if the government did not relent and allow time for dialogue and an alternative. This has now been reached, a new tax regime on bottled water exists in Fiji.
Workers were sent home, factories closed, no pay…no source of income…sufferred the ordinary Fijian.
AT THE END OF THE DAY NO MATTER WHO DOES WHAT BE IT THE GOVERNMENT, FIJI WATER OR CONSUMERS IN THE U.S, MY NEIGHBOURS AND I WILL BE THE ONES TO SUFFER.
Spare us.
Jack Kennedy says:
October 1st, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Fiji – love your water!!!
ignore the loons, you wont ever be able to make the nuts happy, unless you go out of business – that is their bottom line
Just as in my business, banking, you are the evil capitalist that dares to make money in a legitimate and legal way and they dont like it.
SCREW THE LOONS – THEY FRAUDED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WITH OBAMA AND THEY FEEL EMPOWERED
BUT, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE PROCEEDING TO DUMP THE LOONS AND THEY WILL OTHER PROBLEMS AFTER AMERICA DEALS THEM OUT
SO KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO BEST
I am not going to like the lighter plastic bottle, cuz it will change the taste of the water. The thin bottles will be found to be toxic and the unintended consequences of the green loons will strike again
Stay with your current bottles – leave you product as it is!!!
I use 5 garllons a week and do not want change of any kind in Fijiwater
KVTgal says:
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:03 pm
FOR PEOPLE WHO SAY FIJI WATER IS AWASTE OF MONEY DO NOT KNOW THE CONDITION OF PEOPLE LIVING IN YAQARA WHERE FIJI WATER IS OBTAINED IT ABOUT 10KM FROM THE NEAREST TOWN,THERE IS LESS OR NO MEANS OF EMPLOYMENT BUT THIS COMPANY AND MIND YOU IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS KEPT FIJIS HOPES ALIVE FOR A BETTER FUTURE.I MAY BE JUST 14 AND KNOW A LOT OF IMPORTANCES OF FIJI WATER TO MY COUNTRY THEN WHY CAN’T ADULTS LIKE YOU UNDERSTAND.THE SITUATION MY COUNTRY IS GOING THROUGH NOW FIJI WATERS IS ONE OF THE WAYS PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED ,CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL ,HAVE PROPER MEALS AND SAFE DRINKING WATER.YOU ARE SAYING WHY NOT GIVE ALL PEOPLE BOTTLES OF FIJI WATER BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT THE WATER PROJECT PROVIDES THE SAME WATER NICOLE KIDMON DRINKS BUT THERES A SMALL DIFFERENCE YOU DRINK IT OUT OF A BOTTLE AND THEY DRINK IT STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE.ALL IN ALL, FIJI WATERS IS A VERY IMPORTANT COMPANY TO MY COUNTRY AND I HOPE NEXT TIME YOU WILL THINK BEFORE SAYING SOMETHING BECAUSE WE SEE THIS DILEMMA FIRST HAND AND NOT YOU.
raul says:
October 4th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Fiji water remains the best in the world. Iam from rakiraki and i know what they have contributed to the community and the country as a whole.
DihOp says:
October 5th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
So typical… ignorant Americans. Listen to all the people actually from Fiji, above ^. Honestly.
Mark says:
October 7th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
People who go on about a recycling scheme and plastic bottles etc make me sick. If Americans were actually serious about recycling and waste they would have bothered to see what happens in South Australia which has strict Recycling laws on all containers for beverages – with a mandatory 10 cent deposit on all containers. this results in recycling rates higher than any place in the world. ( around 90%) . This is not done in the states – maybe the great world protectors in the US should look in their own back yard first. Before trying to criticise a company doing good work and having a social responsibility. I dont see you picking on Coke for bottling in Lybia for the african and Southern European Market or for Pepsi and Coke for exporting from China to other parts of the world. Seriously get a grip people!
arun prasad says:
October 11th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
ah, fijiwater. so fresh and natural. im originally from fiji and i love fiji warer. i would be happy to work for fiji water and get paid good wages. i believe fiji water pays above average wages and the work is a lot easier than if you worked in a garment factory or one of the shops owned by an indian businessman. it is so refreshing to see fiji water taking care of so many peoples livelyhood and look after the environment and take care of the community. who should believe a visitor who has never lived with the fijians about the everyday struggles of life in the village. i live in antioch which is about 45 miles from san francisco. i love fiji water so much i pay 25c more than the people of san francisco. i heard from some indian people that the millitary regime is not as bad as people overseas paint it to be. ask any indian -any kind of discrimination against indians is not tolerated . if you have not lived in fiji with the fijians please do not make any unnessessay comments and waste yuor energy and your time which colld be used more productively.
M.J. says:
October 16th, 2009 at 5:11 am
I love Fiji water ..Yes, it’s just a bottle of water–modest compared with the indulgence of driving a Hummer. I think is crazy for me to buy from a german or english distro 300\400 bottles every year..i tried so hard to call Fiji Factories with the idea to buy directly from them at a resonable price. No mail,No answer..and this is the silence that really make me worried. I am young and i am the future. Fiji water remains for me a top kind of water . I am from Roma-italy and i know what kind of amazing water we have. If theres a silence with a costumer i think lack or missing comunication can damage a company not only in that sense and direction..
FIJI Media Gal says:
October 16th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Hi M.J.,
Thank you for all the kind words and support. Sorry that you’ve had a hard time contacting someone at FIJI Water. We’ll have someone contact you immediately.
BrianHongKong says:
October 18th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Fiji Water is a good product and a good company that does employ and provide for a population that otherwise would not have anything ; notwithstanding the fact it’s biggest critics, Mother Jones specifically, undoutedly buys many Made in China items. I seriously doubt the Fiji government has been more brutal to its people than the Chinese government. I’ts just water. Move on.
JK says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:09 am
FIJI media gal
please contact me – I have been trying to buy the water in quanties at a more reasonable price
I even have problems obtaining cases on a consistent basis
Love the water, its the best in the world – cleanest and best at room temp.
and excellent water at room temp is an absolute rarity
I have tried to contact company and have not gotten response
Thank you
Michael Parsons says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:43 am
The fact that there is no way for me to contact anyone at Fiji MegaCorp through this website is creepy and infuriating.
The Mother Jones article sold me on THEIR product: a boycott on Fiji water. Fiji MegaCorp was quite a bit less convincing in its arguments for YOUR product, Fiji water.
Until your company shows a protracted commitment to anything besides making millionaires out of its Board of Directors, I’ll be filtering my own water.
FIJI Media Gal says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
Hi JK,
Sorry you haven’t gotten a response. We will have someone contact you ASAP.
J. Owens says:
November 4th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
FIJI water is a large company in an inpoverished nation, but the company is not the richest in the world. You people can’t expect them to go into this country and completely turn it into a developed nation. I think FIJI water needs to be involved in the community and help the people of Fiji as much as possible. How many of us have done anything but critize the company. It would not hurt any of us one bit to help out a little as well. We should be working with FIJI water not boycotting them.
AZRBmom says:
November 9th, 2009 at 11:31 am
FIJI Water is doing great service to the people of FIJI. This is not just true for the workers they employ there, but as well to the opportunities the company’s presence has created. Taking any kind of stance to their government would be ridiculous and would serve no one in the long term. Continuing to grow their business will serve everyone. Mother Jones should recognize that the commitment to thedevelopment and philanthropy they have demonstrated is commendable and honorable. If every organization the size of FIJI water matched this in integrity and stewardship this world would be a better place. Mother Jones should stick to the companies deserving of criticism. There are many to choose from. My family will continue to buy and enjoy our Fiji water.
Local Boy says:
November 14th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
So good to see there are open minded Americans out there who don’t have a habit of nasal gazing at everything and everyone not of their soil.
The human mind is very susceptible to opinions, especially from a powerful and much trusted media. Even in times when the source of the information has failed to carry out due diligence to the story.
This is nothing new, but I give credit to those of you above who have had the intelligence to take an objective view and not just chew everything that is fed to you.
It is the role of the media to inform people – it is up to the consumers of that information to dissect, analyse and form an opinion on the subject matter.
Often it would be wise to carry out ones own research before making any judgements.
For those that have shunned Fiji Water based on Mother Jones I say, how can you form an opinion from information that comes to you thousands of miles from the actual place of origin?
Surely you must realize how fool hardly it looks for someone to be making assumptions about Fiji Water and professing to be an expert on the company when of all we know, they have probably never seen the factory, nor visited Fiji or spoken to the thousands who have benefitted from the Fiji Water projects.
It’s not perfect, like everything else on the planet…it serves no purpose to make an example of a company which AT LEAST tries to make it SEEM like they are trying to make a difference.