The public sector unions are “pretty happy” with Government’s response to their claim for better pay.

The Confederation of Public Sector Unions met the Attorney-General and Minister for Civil Service, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in Suva yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of the confederation, Rajeshwar Singh, general secretary of the Fiji Public Service Association, said it was a positive start to their talks.

The confederation, he said, had lodged a claim of 15 per cent pay rise. Mr Singh said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum had explained that some of the ministries were undergoing restructure. And the World Bank would have to look at the whole civil service before they could progress talks about pay increase.

Mr Singh said they talked about a performance management system, bonuses and overtime. He said everyone had agreed to adjourn the talks to June.

A Government statement said the talks were aimed at strengthening the public sector and modernising the civil service.

“They held constructive and cordial discussions surrounding the civil service and issues pertaining to the terms and conditions of employment of civil servants,” the statement said.

“They also discussed the key role Permanent Secretaries play in order to mitigate issues faced by the civil servants.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said a pro-active approach must be taken by the Government and the union to better serve the interest of all Fijians.

He also said that the Ministry of Civil Service would proactively address and respond in a timely manner to any lapses by the respective ministries and Permanent Secretaries which did not fulfill the agreed and legal terms and conditions of employment.

The confederation consists of the Fijian Teachers Association, Fiji Public Service Association, Fiji Teachers Union, Fiji Nurses Association and Viti Civil Servants Association.

Edited by Maraia Vula
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