The Speaker of Parliament, President and parliamentarians face the likelihood of another cut in salaries, allowances and/or benefits.

It is further to the 30 per cent pay cut that the Sitiveni Rabuka-led government is on.

According to media reports, Finance Minister Biman Prasad plans to table a motion in this month’s parliament sitting for a substantial reduction of travelling allowances.

But until a parliament-appointed emoluments committee has tabled its findings, the salaries, allowances, and benefits for Members of Parliament (MPs) remain unchanged, a newsletter from Parliament said.

Presided by Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya, the committee will review the Parliamentary Retirement Allowances Act 1989.

Committee members include: 

• Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau;
• Education Minister, Aseri Radrodro,
• Former Assistant Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations, Youth and Sport under the FijiFirst Party, Alvick Maharaj who serves his third consecutive terms in Parliament.
• Mosese Bulitavu who serves a second term as a parliamentarian under the FijiFirst banner.

“The emoluments committee is still undertaking its assignment and will continue in existence, until it completes its assignment as resolved by Parliament,” according to Parliament.

The committee will develop and finalise its recommendation(s) and report, which will be tabled back in Parliament by the chairperson, Parliament said.

In a continued show of democracy, Parliament said all MPs would be given time to peruse the report and on a later sitting day during the week, a motion will be moved for the Parliament to adopt and approve the recommendation(s) and report of the Emoluments Committee.

“The motion will be debated and a vote will be taken at the end of the debate,” Parliament said.

Opposition members of Parliament are sitting on a salary of around $40,000.

Background 

In January 2023, PM Rabuka announced a further pay cut for parliamentarians, which inherited a 20 per cent pay cut implemented during the reign of FijiFirst-led Government.

It was reported that Rabuka’s government added a 10 per cent pay cut earlier this year.

In his capacity as PM, Mr Rabuka earns a daily per dieum of $3400, according to recent revelations by the Finance Minister.

Parliament will convene its final sitting for the year for two weeks from November 20.

The Parliamentary emoluments committee was expected to meet and liaise with international experts, to review salaries, allowances, and other benefits.

Mr Prasad said the review was delayed.

Mr Rabuka’s Cabinet comprises 19 ministers.

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