Fiji’s Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said there would be no lay-offs in the public sector, even as the country continues to battle a surge in pandemic infections.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also said teachers would continue to get full salaries despite school being halted because of the pandemic.
“This is being done to keep teachers and ensure they are ready to go the extra mile when schools reopen,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“The Government is committed to making the Civil Service a premier employer of choice,” he said.
“Many Civil Servants are working hard to maintain Government services in the midst of this latest outbreak and they should not, and will not, see their salaries reduced.”
However, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said there would continue to be a freeze on hiring for new positions in the Public Service, with the exceptions of the Ministries of Health and Communications and the Fiji Police.
“The Civil Service salary scale is subject to a careful review in the event borders do not open and the economy does not show measured signs of revival,” the Minister said.
“The commitment to maintain salaries hinges on Government revenue been restored within six months, and on more people being vaccinated.”
His comments came just after Secretary General of the Fiji Teachers Union, Agni Deo Singh said any pay cut for Public Servants would spread “hardship and misery” throughout the country.
Mr Singh said the vast majority of Public Servants continued to sustain members of their extended families who had lost their jobs or taken a pay cut or reduced hours because of the pandemic.
Suva, 18 July 2021
