A number of issues were raised with the Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum during the 2017/2018 National Budget Consultation in Labasa.
Doctor Priyashna Chand raised an issue about dental staff getting less pay.
She says there was a pay rise for doctors, however no pay increments had been reviewed for the dental staff.
Chand says she has graduated with a bachelors in Dental Surgery however her pay is the same as one who would have graduated with a Diploma level.
She says dental staff are working very hard and the government should increase the salary of those who are qualified in this field of work.
Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum says the old system was not recognizing the qualification but was recognizing the posts.
Sayed-Khaiyum adds that government is working to review the salary for all civil servants.
A retired school principal Chandar Dip raised issues that many people in rural areas are not able to visit the hospital and as a result NCD’s is increasing rapidly in young people.
He says government should send medical staff to conduct checkups in the rural areas every six months.
Dip also highlighted that there is no public convenience along the Labasa to Savusavu highway.
The Minister for Economy says he will look into these issues.
