Editorial: The Power of the People and the Public Backlash Against MPs Pay Hike

The 40 votes in Parliament to officially adopt recommendations made by the Emoluments Committee to increase Members of Parliament salaries has sparked outrage and frustration among Fijians, here and abroad.

While the country continues to face economic hardships and challenges, the decision to allocate hefty salaries has left many questioning the priorities of their parliamentarians.

The backlash against the pay hike has been swift and intense since last Friday.

Many took to social media to express their anger and disappointment.

People Alliance Party insiders who played key roles in supporting the party in the lead up to the 2022 general election are the most vocal.

A social media post read; ‘They’re starting to become Pocket Alliance … not the People’s Alliance.’ Another had; ‘You’re really a modern-day version of Jezebel … be careful .’

For years, especially in the past seven months, civil servants in particular have been crying for better pay, better working conditions and better cost of living.

Instead, those they trusted and voted to represent them in the ‘August House’ have feasted themselves with a pay rise. Parliament is where the best decisions for the people are made.

Not only for a few.

While Fiji reels from problems of illicit drugs, abuse, rape, murders, widespread crimes, unemployment, high cost of living and brain drain abroad, the MPs decided to give themselves salary increases.

It is the wrong time, and no justification will get Government and Opposition out of this hole they’ve dug for themselves.

The Fijian Teachers Association (FTA), like the Fiji Nurses Association, have been asking for a pay raise for a long time. Most of their members have gone abroad because Government failed to deliver.

Now the FTA has labelled Parliament’s decision as unjust and unfair, especially in the face of their own struggles for fair compensation and working conditions.

It is even considering industrial action which could disrupt daily service.

After all it’s only the second week of the second school term.

FTA did not hold back in its decription of the parliamentarians.

They “have sneakily and cunningly increased their own pays and the decision is totally unjustified and reeks of nepotism and gross corruption.”

FTA, since the start of this Government, had submitted its log of claims through various means. All it asked for in the past decade is a raise to at least 15 to 20 per cent across the board for all teachers.

“Enough is enough.

We are not going to take this scenario lying down. Be rest assured that we will do all we can to stop this act.

A national referendum to strike will be the agenda in meetings we are going to instigate in the near future.

We will be hold consultative meetings with members and other workers’ unions.”

The sentiments expressed by the FTA leadership and the Fiji Teachers Union are the same of many Fijians.

Mr Rabuka and his coalition of parties promised change.

This is not it.

Feedback: maikeli.vesikula@fijisun.com.fj