Chaudhry slams proposed pay rises

The salary increases recommended by the bipartisan Parliamentary Emoluments Committee are outrageous and a slap on the face of the poor.

This was the statement from Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry.

This comes after the committee presented its report in Parliament yesterday suggesting an increase in the salaries of the Members of Parliament (MP).

“The report recommends the Prime Minister’s wage be increased to $320,000, a 21 per cent pay rise, while the President will receive an extra 42 per cent. Ministers will get up to 35 per cent and Assistant Minister’s 66 per cent increases in their wage respectively,” Mr Chaudhry said.

The Speaker will collect a 47 per cent pay rise while the Leader of the Opposition gets a bonanza of a $104,000 - 108 per cent increase in their wages. In their election campaigns, the coalition parties had promised to significantly reduce the excessively high salaries and allowances set by the FijiFirst government.”

Mr Chaudhry said Government had changed its tune by going back on its promises just as they had done with other promises such as reducing the cost of living and legislating a fair minimum wage.

“In fact, the increase of high-end wages is in itself inflationary and will only aggravate the galloping cost of living. This will also, no doubt, have a ripple effect on the long pending wage and salary negotiations in the public service, which will reduce the capacity of Government’s budget to provide essential services to those in need,” he said.

“This is policymaking at its most self-indulgent without considering its detrimental impact on the people of Fiji. The Report should be referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs for public consultation.

“It is vital that views be sought from the people, the trade unions and employers.

“If these pay rises stand, we will hope that minimum wage restructuring will receive the same amount of attention.”

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