Crisis in Civil Service: Are Resignations Soaring?

Opposition Member of Parliament Hem Chand has recently raised alarm over the significant number of resignations occurring within the civil service, advocating for immediate government action to enhance employee retention and mitigate low morale among workers. His remarks were delivered during a parliamentary discussion on the review of the Ministry of Civil Service’s annual report, led by Chair Lenora Qereqeretabua from the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

Qereqeretabua’s report underscored the rising cost of living as a primary issue impacting civil service personnel, demanding urgent updates to the General Orders established in 2011. Despite proposals for increases in allowances for meals, housing, and hardship being deferred due to budget constraints, the Committee emphasized their importance for inclusion in the upcoming 2025-26 National Budget to better support civil servants across Fiji.

Chand noted that feedback from civil servants regarding workplace conditions and reasons for their departures has been insufficiently gathered. He attributed many resignations to the inadequate compensation adjustments that have not matched the escalating living expenses, emphasizing a need for salary reevaluations to better reflect the value of civil servants.

Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad acknowledged the prior lack of salary increases for civil servants since 2017 and stated that the current coalition government has since implemented raises ranging from seven percent to twenty percent. He highlighted a rise in the number of civil servants from 27,000 in 2014 to 37,000 in 2022, pointing to various strategies aimed at improving retention in roles critical to public services, especially in the health sector.

As hopes grow for comprehensive reforms and improvements in the civil service, the ongoing discussions on salary structures and allowances signal a shift toward recognizing the contributions of civil servants while addressing the challenges they face. The push for enhanced working conditions, career advancement paths, and competitive compensation reflects an understanding of the essential role civil servants play in the effectiveness of government operations, ultimately fostering a more stable and engaged workforce in Fiji’s public sector.