‘We’re not ATM machines’: Kamikamica

Members of Parliament (MPs) deserve a pay rise to encourage them to work harder.

This is what Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica said to justify his support for a salary increase for MPs, a motion passed in Parliament last week. This has caused an uproar among Fijians. Mr Kamikamica said the decision to vote for the motion was made along party lines.

“We had a good discussion and debate internally, and we decided.

“Let’s not forget everybody was on a 20 per cent pay cut, and the rest of Fiji has received their full salary, and we had our concerns,” Mr Kamikamica said.

The Deputy PM is currently facing the challenge of addressing the concerns of Fijians, which have led to a significant uproar.

“The challenge for me personally now is we decided, and it’s a concern to the citizens of Fiji, but I can personally guarantee this is going to make us work harder. Whatever adjustments are made to our salary, we have to prove to Fiji that we are worthy of those adjustments,” he said.

“At the end of the day, we must respect the decision of the rest of the members.

“In the past, SODELPA has had certain views on certain things, and that’s the beauty of a coalition.

“We allow partners to have their own views, now and again we respect the decision by NFP and from the PA perspective, we certainly agree to have that record.”

Feeling sorry for MPs 

Mr Kamikamica said on a personal level he felt sorry for the MPs. He argued that the general public’s expectations of MPs in their roles were overrated.

“Their salary for the type of work they do, and the way people come and ask them for money, is not fair on them. We hope the people of Fiji can understand.

“Certainly, for me, the MPs and Assistant Ministers, they deserve an adjustment because the salary they are given is really hard,” Mr Kamikamica said.

While he acknowledges that they are here to serve the people, some demands were mind-blowing.

Although he recognizes that their purpose is to serve the people, he was taken aback by some of the unreasonable requests.

“I hear everyone and their concerns, but let’s not forget the MPs are here to serve the people. That involves a lot of requests on them personally, kava barrels, and going to functions. We’re not talking about small money. People are expecting thousands of dollars for these things,” Mr Kamikamica explained.

“We must be fair to them because even though they may not have substantive parliamentary positions, they work hard, working in committees and doing a lot for communities and their party.

“Like I said, I hope the people of Fiji understand the reason for the salary adjustment.”

Mr Kamikamica highlighted that there was a time when he had spoken to a former minister who said that he was receiving money from his son overseas to support his work.

“But that’s not right. You need to be paying ministers enough so they can have a good life and still look after their families. Everyone thinks we’re ATM machines. For the budget, we’re not allowed to make any comments because it’s up to the finance minister to release the budget, if anything about this government, it’s that we listen and always care,” he said.

“Taking a pay cut despite approval by the government: I’m sure that’s an option.

“I know some ministers are already looking at that option.”

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