The Fiji Public Service Association and Fiji Council of Social Services are calling for an across the board pay rise for civil servants and the implementation of the new national minimum wage rate.
While launching their online petition against the hike in salaries and benefits of the Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Speaker of Parliament and President and the immediate reversal of the motion passed in parliament, FPSA General Secretary, Judith Kotobalavu and FCOSS Executive Director, Vani Catanasiga say they are calling for the implementation of across the board salary increase for the whole of the civil service in the 2024–2025 National Budget.
They say the salary increase is long overdue and must be a top priority for the Coalition Government due to the high cost of living, and with the inflation rate surging to more than 7 percent affecting household budgets for the working poor.
They add it is to be noted that the last salary increase for civil servants was in 2017.
The two organisations say the national minimum wage still remains at $4 an hr which needs an immediate upward increase as workers are struggling to meet the daily expenses and to put decent food on the table for the family.
Kotobalavu and Catanasiga say the implementation of all the measures is crucial to enhance accountability, transparency, and public trust in the parliamentary system.
They urge the Members of Parliament to consider this petition earnestly and take the necessary steps to effect these changes before implementing their self enrichment plan by voting $8.1 million for their parliamentary salaries.
The online petition is supported by the Fiji Public Service Association, Fiji Nursing Association, Fijian Teachers Association, Fiji Bank and Finance Sector Employees Union, Fiji Commercial and Factory Workers Union, Fiji Union of Public Workers, Fiji Council of Social Services and Concerned Citizens of Fiji.
The online petition link details are on our website, fijivillage.
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