Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s civil lawsuit against the Fijian Government regarding his pension and gratuity payments is progressing in the High Court in Suva. His lawyer, Fatima Gul, has indicated that all pretrial matters are complete, and the court will soon schedule a trial date.
Bainimarama, who served as Prime Minister from 2009 to 2022, claims he is entitled to 75 percent of his annual salary for pension purposes, which amounts to $246,562.50 based on his annual salary of $328,750. Recently, however, the Government reportedly reduced this figure to $184,921.87. Bainimarama also asserts that he is owed a one-time gratuity payment of $770,507.87. To date, the Government has paid him $433,296.75, leaving a deficit of $337,211.12.
In his claim, Bainimarama is seeking several forms of relief, including:
– Payment of the remaining gratuity balance of $337,211.12.
– Adjustment of his pension to the correct value of $7,112.37 every two weeks.
– Recognition of his entitlements under the Prime Ministers Pension Act of 1994.
– Compliance with pension and retirement allowances based on the Parliamentary Remuneration Act.
– Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.
– Coverage of his legal costs on a full indemnity basis.
While the Government maintains that Bainimarama’s claims have been processed according to law, asserting he should receive 80 percent of his final salary, the legal proceedings emphasize the complexities within governmental pension entitlements.
Upcoming court dates include a pre-trial conference set for January 7, 2025, with the case adjourned until February 5, 2025. Both parties agree that the trial may only require one day, with a need to present their evidence effectively.
This situation underscores the ongoing challenges regarding public officials’ entitlements and the necessity for clear and transparent governance practices. The litigation process presents a chance for clarifying pension policies, which could foster a more equitable system for similar cases in the future. The legal discourse surrounding this matter may potentially lead to reforms that ensure the integrity of pension rights for public servants in Fiji.
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