A pay rise based on a merit system is better than the traditional across-the-board system.

And when recruiting, the best qualified and skilled people must be chosen.

Those are two key points emphasised by the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in the public service job evaluation exercise.In the private sector, this is the normal practice.

Financial incentives are at the core of staff retention and productivity. They cash in on career ambitions of employees. Loyal, dedicated and hard-working workers usually get the benefits and why not.

That’s why the merit system is the best for the public service. In a service-oriented sector, it can be difficult to motivate civil servants unless they are given financial incentives. It’s all about service delivery to the people. It’s difficult to quantify it. But the success of any programme is based on how the people have progressed.

Many employers in the private sector use a salary plan where performance is measured against standards and the results are used to increase pay grades and determine promotions rather than a more traditional annual review that focuses on equitable pay among colleagues. In the past the civil service pay review was based on this model. Every civil servant got equal percentage increment. It failed to recognise those who had worked hard and walked the extra mile to deliver top service to the people.

These are the people that deserve to be rewarded financially. The merit-based system will lift the standard significantly to a  whole new level and ordinary people will benefit.

Crackdown on Police vehicle abuse positive

All right-thinking people will back Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho’s crackdown on Police vehicle abuse.

In an unambiguous tone, he warned his officers yesterday anyone found guilty of vehicle abuse would be  removed from the force.

He said it was unacceptable. He is right. Recently we saw two Police vehicles involved in accidents.

He was reminding his officers during the handover of new Police vehicles yesterday.

Reckless driving and driving under the influence of liquor will not be tolerated. People look up to the Police to set an example about upholding the law.

When the Police break the law, they destroy public confidence in them.

Brigadier-General Qiliho knows that  neither the force nor the Government has unlimited funds. Every new vehicle that was handed over needs to be looked after well.

The zero tolerance on abuse will go a long way to preserving these vehicles to help Police fight crime and protect people. NEMANI DELAIBATIKI

Feedback:  nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj

Nemani Delaibatiki