Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama believes that any civil servant or employee of statutory bodies and government commercial companies should be dismissed if they are convicted of violating the government’s COVID-19 health protection directives.
Bainimarama says he is extremely disappointed to hear the news that a civil servant was arrested over the weekend for a curfew violation.
He says let’s remember, no civil servant or any employee of statutory bodies and government-owned commercial companies has received a pay cut.
The Prime Minister says let’s also remember, these Fijians are mandated by the Constitution to adhere to high standards of professionalism and integrity, and faithfully implement Fiji’s laws.
He says in the COVID-19 Response Budget, the government recommended that he, his ministers and assistant ministers and all members of parliament take a 20% pay cut in solidarity with the Fijians suffering COVID-19’s economic ramifications.
Bainimarama says they did so because they are prepared to lead by example and with compassion.
He says they did so because when Fijians look to him and other elected officials, they deserve to see examples worth striving to follow.
The Prime Minister says that same level of responsibility applies to any member of any organisation funded by the taxpayers of Fiji.
