Seruiratu calls for review of civil service size

The Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu has urged the Government to reduce the size of the civil service, claiming its growing wage bill is contributing to Fiji’s rising public debt.

Rejecting the 2026-2027 National Budget in Parliament, Mr Seruiratu compared Fiji’s public service with New Zealand. He claims Fiji employs significantly more public servants relative to her population.

He said New Zealand’s core public service workforce stood at 64,163 for a population of about 5.36 million and was expected to shrink further.

“This is against a population of approximately 5.36 million, meaning there are about 12 public servants for every 1000 New Zealanders, and they have committed to reducing their civil service by 8700, or no more than 1.0 per cent of their total population, by mid-2029,” he said.

Mr Seruiratu said Fiji’s civil service comprised about 42,000 employees serving a population of about 937,000, equivalent to about 45 public servants for every 1000 people.

“With our current annual civil service wages bill of $1.5 billion, or $6 million a day, and total operating costs of $800 million, or $3 million a day, Government must seriously consider following the path taken by New Zealand,” he said.

Government reply

In response, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said Government had announced a review of the civil service aimed at containing the public sector wage bill while tightening controls on travel, workshops, fuel and maintenance.

Mr Rabuka said the review would strengthen value-for-money assessments, improve tax compliance, recover revenue arrears and modernise tax administration.

Blue economy

Mr Seruiratu highlighted the potential of Fiji’s Blue Economy is generating significant income for Fiji.

“Our vast ocean resources provide significant opportunities for sustainable economic growth. Government should expand investment in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processing, and marine biotechnology. Developing commercial opportunities in the fisheries sector will create employment and increase our export earnings,” he said.

Mr Rabuka replied saying certain projects have been planned.

“A taskforce on investment approval process comprising ministries and agencies, headed by the Office of the Prime Minister, is facilitating projects to help them start. Significant investments are underway with consultations and preliminary feasibility studies being carried out to determine the economic viability, structural design and long-term benefit,” he said.

Mr Rabuka said these plans included major port development, maritime and infrastructure aimed at supporting Fiji’s regional maritime hub status.