Kenneth Zinck
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
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| office8 = Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations, and Productivity
| primeminister8 = Laisenia Qarase
| term_start8 = 2001
| term_end8 = 2006
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| parliament11 = Fijian
| term_start11 = 1 September 2001
| term_end11 = 13 May 2006
| predecessor11 = Bill Aull
| successor11 = Bernadette Ganilau
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| birth_date = 16 June 1959
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| party = Fiji Labour Party
New Labour Unity Party
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Kenneth Vincent Zinck (born 16 June 1959) is a former Fijian trade unionist, politician and Cabinet Minister, who served as Minister of Labour in the government of Laisenia Qarase from 2001 to 2006. In the aftermath of the 2006 Fijian coup d'état he sought political asylum in Australia.
Early life
Zinck is of Samoan, German, and Fijian descent. He was educated at Marist Brothers High School in Suva.{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Friendship-in-school-is-a-lifelong-bond-Zinck-25kr9s |title=Friendship in school is a lifelong bond-Zinck |publisher=Fiji Village |date=23 October 2010 |access-date=17 April 2023}} In 1987 he was arrested along with future Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum for protesting against the 1987 Fijian coups d'état.{{cite news |title=Zinck maintains stand on coups |work=Fiji Times |page=2 |date=15 May 2008 |via=EBSCOHost}}
He worked as president of the Fiji Bank and Finance Sector Employees Union.{{cite news |title=Zinck back in the union fold |work=Fiji Times |page=4 |date=2 October 2006 |via=EBSCOHost}}
Political career
He unsuccessfully contested the Suva City Open constituency as a candidate of the Fiji Labour Party in the 1999 Fijian general election, losing to United General Party candidate Ofa Duncan.{{cite web |url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/f/fiji/fiji19995.txt |title=REPUBLIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF 8-15 MAY 1999 |publisher=Psephos |access-date=17 April 2023}}
Following the split in the Labour Party in the wake of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état Zinck joined the New Labour Unity Party (NLUP). He was elected to the House of Representatives of Fiji as an NLUP candidate in the Suva City General Electors Communal constituency at the 2001 election.{{cite web |url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/f/fiji/fiji20014.txt |title=REPUBLIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF 25 AUGUST TO 1 SEPTEMBER 2001 |publisher=Psephos |access-date=17 April 2023}} He was one of only two NLUP candidates to be elected, the other being Duncan, who had defected from the UGP.
The election produced an inconclusive result; Laisenia Qarase's SDL emerged as the largest single party, with 32 of the 71 seats, short of an overall majority in the House of Representatives. Qarase cobbled together a coalition with a number of smaller parties and independents. Zinck defied the NLUP leadership by accepting a Cabinet post as Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations, and Productivity. As a result, he was expelled from the party on 4 December 2003.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/146470/fiji-cabinet-minister-dumped-by-his-own-party |title=Fiji cabinet minister dumped by his own party |publisher=RNZ |date=5 December 2003 |access-date=17 April 2023}} He successfully challenged the expulision with the Speaker of Parliament, who ruled it invalid on procedural grounds.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/147777/fiji-minister-zinck-fends-off-expulsion-bid-from-own-party |title=Fiji minister Zinck fends off expulsion bid from own party |publisher=RNZ |date=18 March 2004 |access-date=17 April 2023}} He therefore officially remained a NLUP parliamentarian, even though the party was deregistered in 2005.
As Labour Minister Zinck threatened to discipline doctors undertaking Work-to-rule action,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/139920/fma-president-says-she-doesnt-know-how-minister-would-carry-out-threats |title=FMA president says she doesnt know how minister would carry out threats |publisher=RNZ |date=1 July 2002 |access-date=17 April 2023}} and accused Asian immigrants of taking jobs from locals in Fiji's garment industry.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/141522/fiji-cabinet-minister-says-asian-immigrants-are-taking-jobs-from-locals |title=Fiji Cabinet Minister says Asian immigrants are taking jobs from locals |publisher=RNZ |date=31 October 2002 |access-date=17 April 2023}} He repeatedly threatened to jail union leaders and deregister unions engaging in illegal strikes,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/140285/fiji-government-promises-strong-action-against-illegal-strikes |title=Fiji government promises strong action against illegal strikes |publisher=RNZ |date=1 August 2002 |access-date=17 April 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/143865/fiji-minister-threatens-to-deregister-unions-amid-illgal-strikes |title=Fiji minister threatens to deregister unions amid {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|illgal}} strikes |publisher=RNZ |date=23 May 2003 |access-date=17 April 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/146907/fiji-unions-face-deregistration-threat |title=Fiji unions face deregistration threat |publisher=RNZ |date=13 January 2004 |access-date=17 April 2023}} causing tension with the Fiji Trades Union Congress.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/144327/tension-grows-between-fiji-labour-minister-and-ftuc |title=Tension grows between Fiji labour minister and FTUC |publisher=RNZ |date=23 May 2003 |access-date=17 April 2023}} In February 2004, faced with a widespread public sector strike over a cost-of-living adjustment, Zinck referred the issue to compulsory arbitration.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/147178/fiji-labour-minister-refers-dispute-to-arbitration |title=Fiji labour minister refers dispute to arbitration |publisher=RNZ |date=2 February 2004 |access-date=17 April 2023}} In November 2004 the High Court of Fiji ruled that this was unlawful and motivated by bias and ill-will.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/151777/court-rules-fiji-labour-minister-acted-illegally-and-was-biased |title=Court rules Fiji labour minister acted illegally and was biased |publisher=RNZ |date=18 November 2004 |access-date=17 April 2023}}
In December 2005, Zinck called for Pacific nations to form a trade bloc to present a united front to represent common interests before international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/159173/fiji's-labour-minister-calls-for-single-pacific-bloc |title=Fiji's Labour minister calls for single Pacific bloc |publisher=RNZ |date=12 December 2005 |access-date=17 April 2023}} He also called for greater labour mobility between Australia and New Zealand and the rest of the Pacific.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/159180/further-call-for-australia-and-new-zealand-to-reconsider-labour-mobility |title=Further call for Australia and New Zealand to reconsider labour mobility |publisher=RNZ |date=12 December 2005 |access-date=17 April 2023}}
In the leadup to the 2006 election, the NLUP formed a coalition with the FLP.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/161121/fiji's-new-labour-in-coalition-with-flp |title=Fiji's New Labour in coalition with FLP |publisher=RNZ |date=28 March 2006 |access-date=17 April 2023}} Zinck subsequently ran as an independent,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/161409/more-than-300-candidates-to-contest-next-month's-fiji-election |title=More than 300 candidates to contest next month's Fiji election |publisher=RNZ |date=12 April 2006 |access-date=17 April 2023}} but failed to win re-election.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/162093/tight-contest-emerging-as-about-a-third-of-fiji-election-results-released |title=Tight contest emerging as about a third of Fiji election results released |publisher=RNZ |date=16 May 2006 |access-date=17 April 2023}}
2006 coup and aftermath
Following his electoral defeat, Fiji Trades Union Congress president Daniel Urai said that Zinck would never work in the union movement again,{{cite news |title=Unions don't want Zinck |work=Fiji Times |page=4 |date=25 May 2006 |via=EBSCOHost}} but in October 2006 he was elected secretary of the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority staff association.
The day after the 2006 Fijian coup d'état he was arrested and later released, by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, after a relative of Military Commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama allegedly heard him making derogatory comments about the Commander at Suva's United Club.{{cite web |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=53181 |title=Fiji Times contributors warned by army |publisher=Fiji Times |date=9 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222015828/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=53181 |archive-date=22 December 2007}} Zinck claimed to have been subjected to degrading treatment, including being forced to run around a sports field with the guns of four soldiers trained upon him. He was then allegedly forced to stand under a spotlight at Queen Elizabeth Barracks with soldiers standing behind him, warning him against making further statements against the Commander, before being ordered to leave the barracks. Fiji Human Rights Commission Director Shaista Shameem said on 9 December that the incident was being investigated.{{cite web |url=http://www.fijivillage.com/artman/publish/article_34294.shtml |title=Army Warns Not To Speak Publicly Against Them |publisher=Fiji Village |date=9 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061211062115/http://www.fijivillage.com/artman/publish/article_34294.shtml |archive-date=11 December 2006}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167147/fiji-human-rights-commission-looking-into-military-and-police |title=Fiji Human Rights Commission looking into military and police |publisher=RNZ |date=9 January 2007 |access-date=17 April 2023}}
On 14 December 2006, the Military authorities terminated Zinck's membership of the board of the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166841/fiji-coup-makers-revamp-top-administration |title=Fiji coup makers revamp top administration |publisher=RNZ |date=14 December 2006 |access-date=17 April 2023}}
In March 2007, following his successfully representing workers of the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority in a pay dispute,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/168578/fiji-court-overturns-pay-cuts-at-customs-authority |title=Fiji court overturns pay cuts at Customs Authority |publisher=RNZ |date=20 March 2007 |access-date=17 April 2023}} Zinck was detained by the military for a third time.{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/union-tensions-rise-in-fiji-20070323-3t8.html |title=Union tensions rise in Fiji |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=23 March 2007 |access-date=17 April 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/168638/former-fiji-cabinet-minister-may-sue-after-being-interrogated-by-military-for-a-third-time |title=Former Fiji cabinet minister may sue after being interrogated by military for a third time |publisher=RNZ |date=22 March 2007 |access-date=17 April 2023}} He continued to speak out against the military regime, questioning its legitimacy and its right to use public money,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/172870/former-fiji-cabinet-minister-questions-use-of-public-funds-in-court-cases |title=Former Fiji cabinet minister questions use of public funds in court cases |publisher=RNZ |date=25 September 2007 |access-date=17 April 2023}} and criticising its plans to overturn the 1997 Constitution of Fiji.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/173890/fiji-interim-regime-plans-new-council-to-meet-in-december |title=Fiji interim regime plans new council to meet in December |publisher=RNZ |date=13 November 2007 |access-date=17 April 2023}} In the leadup to the 2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Zinck was targeted in a wave of attacks against critics of the regime, and his home and car were stoned by unidentified men.{{cite news |title=Terror rains stones |work=Fiji Times |page= |date=16 February 2009 |via=EBSCOHost}}{{cite news |title=Second attack |work=Fiji Times |page= |date=24 February 2009 |via=EBSCOHost}}
In September 2011 he sought political asylum in Australia, alleging repeated physical abuse by the military.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/199657/former-fiji-minister-zinck-seeks-asylum-in-australia |title=Former Fiji minister Zinck seeks asylum in Australia |publisher=RNZ |date=16 September 2011 |access-date=17 April 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/199704/fiji-unionist-seeking-asylum-in-australia-says-he's-been-singled-out |title=Fiji unionist seeking asylum in Australia says he's been singled out |publisher=RNZ |date=19 September 2006 |access-date=17 April 2023}}{{cite news |title=Former Fiji minister seeks protection |work=The Australian |page= |date=21 September 2011 |via=EBSCOHost}}
References
{{Wikiquote|Kenneth Zinck}}
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zinck, Kenneth}}
Category:Fijian people of Samoan descent
Category:Fijian people of German descent
Category:Fijian people of I-Taukei Fijian descent
Category:People educated at Marist Brothers High School, Fiji
Category:Labour ministers of Fiji
Category:Fiji Labour Party politicians
Category:New Labour Unity Party politicians
Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Fiji)
Category:Fijian trade unionists
Category:Ethnic minority members of the House of Representatives (Fiji)