PSC Clarifies Pay Increments

The Public Service Commission stresses that only the Government Permanent Secretaries were entitled to be considered for pay increments in December last year.After confirmation earlier today that the Permanent Secretaries received a pay increment, PSC Chairman Rishi Ram said this is because the Permanent Secretaries are the only civil servants whose contract is based on Performance and they do not receive COLA.Ram said the Public Sector Unions earlier rejected the proposal to introduce the Permanent Based Management System and now the PSC will push to ensure that this is implemented across the board.Earlier today the Fiji Public Service Association raised concern that some senior civil servants have been paid over $3000 in bonuses for last year by the Public Service Commission.General Secretary, Rajeshwar Singh said on one hand, Government pays out bonuses for jobs well done to Permanent Secretaries and on the other hand civil servants who live below the poverty-line have not received any pay rise for some years and are facing pay cuts.Singh added that at the Association's Annual General Meeting held last Saturday, members raised concern on a number of issues relating to the PSC.Fiji Public Service Association has raised concern on claims that some senior civil servants have been paid over $3000 in bonuses for last year by the Public Service Commission.General secretary, Rajeshwar Singh said on one hand, Government pays out bonuses for jobs well done to Permanent Secretaries and on the other hand civil servants who live below the poverty-line have not received any pay rise for some years.Singh added that at the Association's Annual General Meeting held last Saturday, members raised concern on a number of issues relating to the PSC.Singh said calls were made by members to take action against the PSC.Meanwhile the Public Service Commission has stated that claims made by the FPSA are misrepresented facts and pure exaggeration.Chairman, Rishi Ram confirms the payment made was not bonus but a payment of increment in their salaries as stated in their contract.He stresses that salaries for all civil servants will be increased based on their performance, not COLA.Meanwhile the Fiji Teachers Union General Secretary, Agni Deo Singh says that it's not only the permanent secretaries who should receive a pay increment but all those who work under them as well.