Editorial: Teachers have families too, so pay them now

The Minister for Education has shot himself in the foot with his response in the ongoing crisis of late salary payments for teachers.

In a statement that was supposed to reassure educators, he claimed to "reaffirm his commitment" to their welfare, yet he simultaneously pointed to the problem as an "inherited" issue from the former FijiFirst Government.

If the situation is indeed so dire and longstanding, one must ask: what has the minister's leadership achieved in the three years since he took office?

The words of the Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu, should be heeded: "Many of these teachers have families who depend on their income to survive."

While the minister enjoys the comforts of first-class travel and lavish accommodations, he appears to have forgotten the very grassroots constituents who voted him into office.

Teachers and healthcare workers are the backbone of Fiji. They are the guardians of education and health in this nation. To neglect them is to neglect the very fabric of society, which relies on their dedication and hard work.

The delayed salary payments, overdue superannuation contributions and missing salary slips, are examples of poor leadership. To say that it is "nothing new" is unhelpful and alarming. Fiji students, our children, stand to suffer because teachers cannot perform at their best when they are not paid on time.

It is a simple equation: if the Government neglects the welfare of its workers, who will care for the nation's future?

Fijians must not lose sight of the implications of these salary delays. Teachers have gone without pay for eight weeks. It is a clear violation of Fiji's labour laws under the 2013 Constitution. This Constitution guarantees employees' rights to timely wages. Failure to adhere to this can result in severe penalties for employers, including hefty fines and even imprisonment.

The law is clear: neglecting to pay workers as agreed is not just a misstep; it is a breach of trust and responsibility.

Mr Seruiratu is right to demand accountability from the Minister for Education. The delays create problems for teachers and their families. Having come from a family of teachers, there were instances when shopkeepers were asked for credits to make ends meet between pay cheques.

In today's era of technology, there should be no delays. Salary payments should be seamless and efficient.

Not paying teachers is sad. They were promised the moon and the stars with the recent 10 per cent pay increase instead of the 30 they requested, while Cabinet swiftly awarded itself a substantial pay hike.

Teachers are not just employees, they are important to Fiji's intellectual and moral development. Imagine if the Minister for Education was to go unpaid for eight weeks. The outcry would be immediate, swift and just. Heads will roll. But not this time.

Government should act immediately to rectify this  situation and uphold the dignity of our invaluable educators.

Feedback: maikeli.vesikula@fijisun.com.fj