Nand questions pay disparities within civil service

Nand questions pay disparities within civil service

By Iliana Biutu
09/07/2024
Independent Member of the Parliament, Sachida Nand. [Image: Parliament of Fiji]

Independent Member of the Parliament, Sachida Nand is asking Government why there is a disparity between grades or bands for civil servants' pay.

While responding to the 2024/2025 National Budget, Nand says all civil servants are an integral part of the civil service and these are the people that keep the services running.

Nand says the increment should have been uniform as all work equally hard or is the Minister for Finance's view that some are more important than others.

He says the Government is finally coming partially true to their word to increase the minimum wage, however, he asks why $4.50 from 1st August and $5 from April 2025 and on what basis they have come to this rate.

The independent MP asks if is it based on a minimum wage review and if it is true, where is the report and why has the report not been made public.

Nand says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad has said to give a minimum wage of $5 to the people then give it now rather than nine months down the line.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

He also acknowledged the Government for the reinstatement of FNPF pension payments which has been requested by the people for a long time.

Nand says the budget falls short of addressing investment and growth in Fiji and there is nothing new that encourages locals to invest in the country. He says he fails to see anything in the budget that attracts foreign investment in Fiji and it is not good as Fiji needs foreign investments to grow the economy.

He adds this government is relying too much on direct budget support from donor agencies and they should remember that this is not a permanent facility that will always be available.

Nand says he does not support the next budget.

FEATURE NEWS
16-year-old Nehemiah Elder creates history as first Fijian Weightlifter to win gold at any World Championship event
16-year-old weightlifting sensation Nehemiah Elder has become the first-ever Fijian Weightlifter to win gold at any World Championship event. Elder...
46 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Rise in reporting of gender-based violence in Fiji linked to awareness and support efforts - Ali
The rate of reporting on gender-based violence in Fiji is currently increasing as more people are working in this area and women are being encouraged ...
1 hour ago

Lomaloma Jetty reopening to improve flow of goods, services, and people to Vanuabalavu Island
Good news for the people of Vanuabalavu as the Fiji Roads Authority has announced the official reopening of the Lomaloma Jetty yesterday. The ...
1 hour ago

Racial narrative on scholarship funding is unfortunate and divisive - Pacific Polytech Chair
It is most unfortunate that some sections of policy makers - led by educationists - continue to harp on racial allocation of scholarship ...
1 hour ago

Concerns raised as roadworks holding up traffic for up to 30 minutes at Rewa St roundabout
Concerns have been raised by drivers about waiting for at least 30 minutes in traffic along Milverton Road and Brown Street as unscheduled road works ...
3 hours ago

Pirate taxis to be legalised – Ro Filipe
Following huge concerns about pirate taxis, the Minister for Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, says they will need to bring them into the legal ...
4 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Tragedy at PRB Flats: Couple found dead in suspected murder-suicide in April
A couple were found dead at the new Lagilagi Public Rental Board Flats today and it is alleged at this stage that it was a murder suicide case on ...
5 hours ago

Tevita Ikanivere on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show focuses on Ikanivere’s journey, his family, career and how far the Drua has ...
13 days ago

Daniel Fatiaki and Professor Narsey on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Chair of the Electoral Reform Commission and former Chief Justice, Daniel Fatiaki and Electoral Reform Commissioner and economist, Professor Wadan ...
13 days ago

TOP