Reference no: EM132821735

Fourty-five companies including diving companies were given non-compliance notices by the Ministry of Environment and Waterways.

• These companies were operating from the Laucala Industrial area.
• A recent inspection to the area led to the issuance of these notices.
• Permanent secretary, Joshua Wycliffe, said it was shocking to note that some of the companies have either been reluctant or have refused to apply for a permit when they have been made aware of their breach.
• "The offence is common across most segments - which includes chicken harvesting and holding facilities, diving and hull cleaning companies, garage companies, paint and plastic manufacturers, and air conditioning companies to name a few," he said.
• Mr Wycliffe said the range of offences included obstructing officers from carrying out their duties, non-possession of waste disposal and waste recycling permits, refusal to apply for one and dumping of wastes illegitimately.

Environment Management Act

• According to the Environment Management Act 2005, failure to apply for a waste disposal and waste recycling permit by the date for compliance is an offence for which the penalty is a fine of up to $100,000.
• Operating a facility without the necessary permit carries a maximum penalty of $250,000 and imprisonment for three years for a first offence.
• For a second or subsequent offence, the maximum penalty is $750,000 and 10 years imprisonment and where the facility is a body corporate, the maximum fine is increased fivefold.
• Fiji Sun is working to get comments from all the companies which were issued the notices. More de-tails and names will be released in tomorrow's edition.

Problem (a) Discuss your understanding of Business Ethics.

Problem (b) Are the 45 companies showing good Business Ethics? Elaborate.