Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service, which was opened in Nasese two weeks ago, will resolve the concerns raised regarding civil servants.
While contributing to the debate on the consolidated Review Report of the Ministry of Civil Service 2019-2021 Annual Reports, Rabuka says the Institute of Learning, in some way, will help the public servants of Fiji return better services to the people they are serving.
He says one of the major concerns that was raised in the report was the timeliness of the submission of annual reports, and this government promises to make the reports and ensure that the reports are tabled for consideration in a timely manner.
Rabuka says around 320 civil servants were affected by the no-jab, no-job policy, and this government has reversed the decision and introduced legislative reforms to address such concerns.
He adds the amendment to the Health and Safety General Workplace Conditions Regulation 2023 now allows terminated employees to re-apply for vacant positions, enabling them to resume employment, support their families, and contribute their expertise to the government once again.
The Prime Minister says over 30,000 Fijians are currently employed in the public service, and their dedication continues to significantly contribute to this nation and its social stability.
He says the coalition government prioritizes the development of public servants by introducing reforms that are limited or aimed at establishing a high-performing and accountable workforce.
Opposition MP Hem Chand calls on the government to ensure that civil servants working in rural and maritime areas have access to the information on scholarships on offer and other training opportunities as and when they become available.
He says the Ministry of Civil Service is responsible for enhancing civil servant performance and ensuring that the Ministry offers various training and career development opportunities to all civil servants, regardless of where they are located.
Chand says the Ministry for Civil Service should enable the career advancement of civil servants through the support of scholarships, study leave, study assistance and individual capacity development. He adds training programs equip civil servants with the skills for better service delivery.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad highlighted that there were key developments in the civil service budget including increased allocations due to departmental transfers.
He also acknowledged the dedication of rural civil servants despite challenging conditions and emphasized the government’s commitment to improving their working environment.
He adds that the newly launched Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service, with a $1.9 million investment is aimed to enhance training and future-focused learning for civil servants.
Professor Prasad says the government has also addressed long-standing concerns by implementing salary and wage increases of 7 percent to 20 percent for civil servants in the 2024-2025 financial year and has extended the retirement age from 55 to 60.
He says there is also a need for better recruitment in technical fields and more competitive job offers while addressing service delivery, resource shortages and infrastructure through targeted investments.
Opposition Leader, Inia Seruiratu raised concerns about talent retention in the civil service, suggesting a government fund for counter-offers to retain skilled professionals.
Seruiratu also noted the limitations of the Open Merit Recruitment System (OMRS) should not be relied upon, as it is only a guide.
He calls for equitable training opportunities for rural civil servants and improved living conditions to enhance service delivery.
Seruiratu also acknowledged the dedication of civil servants, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, emphasizing the need for better enforcement of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations in workplaces.
He also urged senior officials to prioritize worker safety and compliance with hazardous material storage guidelines.
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