The Public Service Commission stresses that the interim government is not in a position to be able to agree to any cost of living adjustment payments for civil servants despite increasing prices of various goods and services.
As public sector unions renewed their calls for the interim government to start talks on COLA payments, PSC Chairman Rishi Ram said they must try and understand the current situation before making any demands.
Ram said the trickledown effect due to increasing prices continues to put a strain on government finances however he reassured civil servants that despite the situation the 4% pay restoration will go ahead this year.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Retailers Association President Himmat Lodhia said there has been a drop of more than 40% in businesses around the country.
According to Lodhia businesses are not making their targeted profits as consumer spending is going down day by day with the last few months being the worst.
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PSC not in position to discuss COLA
