The Fiji Court of Appeal has today ruled in favour of the Public Service Commission to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 55.
The three judges, Justice John Byrne, Justice Andrew Bruce and Justice Izaz Khan, have also quashed Justice Filimoni Jitoko's earlier judgment that the PSC's decision of 9th March, 2007, to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 55 was null and void.
The judges also noted that there was no evidence indicating that the PSC did not follow the constitution in reducing the retirement age from 60 to 55 adding the PSC did give the unions a fair hearing when reducing the retirement age.
The three judges also stated that Justice Jitiko did not consider the advantages of the retirement age reduction submitted by PSC Permanent Secretary Taina Tagicakibau and Fiji Teachers Union General Secretary Agni Deo Singh.
The respondents in the case, the Fijian Teachers Association and Fiji Public Service Association, have been ordered to pay court costs of $3,500.
The FTA General Secretary Maika Namudu said they will need some more time to decide on their next step.
The FPSA General Secretary Rajeshwar Singh said he will also need more time to go over the judgment as it is a significant ruling.
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Appeals Court rules in favour of PSC
