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MPs pay hike: Give it a REST. Civil Servants and GWE's pay: Give it a RAISE
We, the undersigned members of the Fiji Public Service Association and the Fiji Council of Social Services, alongside concerned citizens of Fiji, respectfully submit this petition to the Honourable Members of Parliament with the following urgent calls for action:
1. Immediate reversal of the Determination of Parliament Based on the Emoluments Committee’s Recommendations
We call upon the members of parliament to reverse the determination made on the 25th of May, 2024 based on the recommendations of the emoluments committee. The current decision has significant implications for public trust and the perception of fairness in parliamentary remunerations. We believe that an immediate reversal is necessary to maintain the integrity and accountability of parliamentary processes. 2. Comprehensive Review of the Parliamentary Remunerations Act
We further call on the Fiji Parliament to undertake a thorough review of the Parliamentary Remunerations Act. This review should explicitly include the following provision:
a) Annual Performance Review Mechanism:
We propose the introduction of an annual review of members of parliament's performance, upon which the emoluments committee can deliberate any proposals for changes to salaries and conditions. This performance review mechanism must encompass:
i. Summary of Agency/Portfolio Outcomes:
A comprehensive summary of relevant agency and portfolio outcomes should be presented, aligning with the National Development Plan and pertinent Sustainable Development Goals. This ensures that the performance assessment is directly linked to the nation’s strategic development priorities.
ii. Citizens’ Assessment Report:
A report by the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji summarizing submissions from citizens regarding their assessment of the conduct and performance of members of parliament and relevant members of the executive arm of government. This inclusivity ensures that the voices of the citizens are heard and considered in the evaluation process. iii. Representation from Private and Civil Society Sectors: Inclusion of representatives from private and civil society sectors in the review process. Their participation ensures a balanced and diverse perspective, contributing to a fair and transparent evaluation of parliamentary performance.
3. Repealing of Gazette 41/2024
We call for the repeal of Gazette No 41 of 2024, on the Determination to amend the salaries payable under Part A and Part B of the Schedule to the Parliamentary Remunerations Act 2014 based on the Emoluments Committee’s Recommendations.
4. Increase salaries for civil servants and government wage earners (GWE)
We further call for the implementation of across the Board salary increase for the whole civil service including the GWEs in the 2024 – 2025 National Budget. The salary increase for the aforementioned is long overdue and must be a top priority for the Coalition government due to the high cost of living, and with the inflation rate surging to more than 7% affecting household budgets for the working poor. It is to be noted that the last salary increase for civil servants was in 2017.
5. Implementation of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) The National Minimum wage still remains at $4/hr which needs an immediate upward increase be implemented by the Coalition government for other workers immediately as workers are struggling to meet the daily expenses and to put decent food on the table for the family. 6. Conclusion
The implementation of these measures is crucial to enhance accountability, transparency, and public trust in the parliamentary system. We urge the Honourable Members of Parliament to consider this petition earnestly and take the necessary steps to effect these changes before implementing their self enrichment plan by voting $8.1 million for their parliamentary salaries. We appreciate your attention to these matters and look forward to your prompt action in addressing our concerns.
Sincerely,
Fiji Public Service Association
Fiji Nursing Association
Fijian Teachers Association
Fiji Bank & Finance Sector Employees Union
Fiji Commercial and Factory Workers Union
Fiji Union of Public Workers Fiji
Council of Social Services Concerned Citizens of Fiji
The online petition link is here:
https://www.change.org/p/call-for-reversal-and-review-of-parliamentary-emoluments
Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has today decided that the 17 FijiFirst Party MPs who voted for the change in salaries and benefits in parliament did not breach the constitution, as after the independent legal advice received, he has rejected the FijiFirst notification because it does not comply with the requirements of Section 63(3) of the Fiji Constitution. Ratu Naiqama says the FijiFirst notification was signed by Voreqe Bainimarama, purportedly as the Leader of the FijiFirst, and Faiyaz Koya, as the Acting General Secretary of the FijiFirst.
He says Section 5(1)(d) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, read together with Section 3(2) of the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act 2012, disqualify a person serving a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or longer from being an office holder in a registered political party.
The Speaker says consequently, Koya and Bainimarama were not lawfully permitted to hold Bainimarama, an incarcerated criminal, convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year, out as Leader of the FijiFirst Party.
Ratu Naiqama says Section 63(3) of the Fiji Constitution required the FijiFirst notification to be signed by both the Leader and the Secretary of the party.
He says not only was it not signed by the Leader of the party, but the fact that both Bainimarama and Koya holding Bainimarama out to be the Leader appears to involve an aspect of criminality.
Ratu Naiqama says it is an offence under Section 27 of the Political Parties Act to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement.
He says he has referred this matter to the Registrar of Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa, to take appropriate action, with the possibility of charges following should there be sufficient evidence to warrant such a course of action.
He adds that he is also aware that Mataiciwa has issued a notice to the FijiFirst Party requesting that certain breaches of the Political Parties Act be rectified.
Ratu Naiqama makes it clear that should the FijiFirst Party not rectify the breaches with the result that the party is deregistered, he has asked that the FijiFirst MPs notify him promptly as to whether they will become an independent Member or whether they will join an existing party.
He says he has had to seek independent legal advice, and to ensure that both the process he has followed, and his decision have been fair, independent, and impartial.
We are currently in the process of getting the Registrar of Parties.
One of the 17 FijiFirst MPs, Jone Usamate says he will continue to perform his role as a Parliamentarian, to the best of his abilities, and in keeping with FijiFirst values of integrity, meritocracy, diversity and self reliance as a nation. Source: Fijivillage News
He says Section 5(1)(d) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, read together with Section 3(2) of the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act 2012, disqualify a person serving a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or longer from being an office holder in a registered political party.
The Speaker says consequently, Koya and Bainimarama were not lawfully permitted to hold Bainimarama, an incarcerated criminal, convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year, out as Leader of the FijiFirst Party.
Ratu Naiqama says Section 63(3) of the Fiji Constitution required the FijiFirst notification to be signed by both the Leader and the Secretary of the party.
He says not only was it not signed by the Leader of the party, but the fact that both Bainimarama and Koya holding Bainimarama out to be the Leader appears to involve an aspect of criminality.
Ratu Naiqama says it is an offence under Section 27 of the Political Parties Act to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement.
He says he has referred this matter to the Registrar of Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa, to take appropriate action, with the possibility of charges following should there be sufficient evidence to warrant such a course of action.
He adds that he is also aware that Mataiciwa has issued a notice to the FijiFirst Party requesting that certain breaches of the Political Parties Act be rectified.
Ratu Naiqama makes it clear that should the FijiFirst Party not rectify the breaches with the result that the party is deregistered, he has asked that the FijiFirst MPs notify him promptly as to whether they will become an independent Member or whether they will join an existing party.
He says he has had to seek independent legal advice, and to ensure that both the process he has followed, and his decision have been fair, independent, and impartial.
We are currently in the process of getting the Registrar of Parties.
One of the 17 FijiFirst MPs, Jone Usamate says he will continue to perform his role as a Parliamentarian, to the best of his abilities, and in keeping with FijiFirst values of integrity, meritocracy, diversity and self reliance as a nation. Source: Fijivillage News
