The Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) has submitted a strike notice to the Registrar of Trade Unions in response to its grievances with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS). In a communication to over 300 members, FPSA secretary-general Judith Kotobalavu expressed significant frustration over the prolonged delay in addressing their concerns.
Kotobalavu noted that the association has been waiting for eight months, anticipating a prompt resolution of the outstanding issues. She highlighted that the 2023 Job Evaluation Exercise (JEE) report has not been shared or discussed with FPSA members at FRCS, raising doubts about the legitimacy of implementing new salary structures for staff.
FRCS conducted a JEE in December 2023 and proposed a new salary band based on standards from the finance and banking sector. Kotobalavu emphasized that the lack of communication regarding this report represents a serious governance issue at FRCS, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability for the association’s members.
Due to the continued delay in resolving these critical issues, FPSA members voted for strike action during a meeting held last week. Questions directed to FRCS CEO Udit Singh regarding the matter went unanswered, although he previously stated in early August that the issues raised had been forwarded to the board of directors for consideration, with management currently compiling responses to several inquiries from the directors.