Do not forget that our salaries are paid by the Fijian tax payers - PM to Permanent Secretaries

Do not forget your salaries are paid by the Fijian tax payers - yours as well as mine.

This was stressed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while speaking to Permanent Secretaries at their welcome dinner for the Permanent Secretaries Retreat in Denarau.

Bainimarama reminded the Permanent Secretaries that friendships are fine around the grog bowl, but when they get to work, they are an objective professional.

He says that they should treat everyone alike and should discipline everyone to the same standard.

Bainimarama adds that because tax dollars are not intended to sustain anyone’s clique, and just because someone is a civil servant, doesn’t mean they are entitled to taxpayer paid salaries for life.

The Prime Minister adds that the decades of neglect suffered across Fiji’s human resourcing in the civil service remain a ball and chain that is hampering progress forward.

The Permanent Secretaries were told to put in the time to build up the capacity of their HR departments and Bainimarama says there is no reason why civil servants should not know six‑months beforehand whether their contracts will be renewed or not.

Bainimarama also discussed how he has opened up a facebook account to communicate well with the public.

The Prime Minister adds that readying our nation, our economy and our civil service for the handover to the next generation must start now.

He says that Fiji needs more young people in the ranks of government and there is a need for talented young Fijians to be motivated to pursue careers in public life.

He told the Permanent Secretaries that when young people look to all of them, they must find that inspiration.