Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said the 4% pay cut for civil servants will be reviewed next year.
Bainimarama is responding to Fiji Islands Council of Trade Unions General Secretary Attar Singh who said that the interim government has stolen civil servant’s money by not backdating the 5 percent pay cut.
Fiji Nursing Association General Secretary Kuini Lutua said the non-mention of the 4% pay restoration for civil servants is not surprising and is one of the main reasons why they did not sign an agreement with the interim administration.
Meanwhile, ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase is concerned about the Budget of Hope for 2008 which was announced by Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry yesterday.
Qarase said whether the budget will deliver a quick recovery of the economy or not, is doubtful especially with the major reductions in important areas like roads and water.
Qarase said he is not happy with the allocation given to the tourism industry especially with the incentives package to be introduced in 2009 is far less attractive with the current concessions.
Meanwhile, Qarase adds the budget has been prepared under difficult circumstances, brought about by the coup and mismanagement by the interim regime. The budget is a mixed bag of policy measures and giveaways that will either please or frustrate sections of the population.
Feature
Pay Cut Reviewed Next Year
