The Fijian Teachers Association has given the government until the end of September to respond to their demand for a 30 percent salary increase. If their request is overlooked, they will move forward with a secret ballot to consider strike action.
FTA General Secretary Paula Manumanunitoga stated that this decision was reached unanimously during an annual general meeting held on Tuesday. He emphasized the need to continue negotiations with the Ministries of Finance, Education, and Civil Service for improved salaries.
“We demand the 30 percent increase for teachers, which has been our ongoing request,” he said. “A resolution was proposed where the government would provide us with a 10 percent increase this year, another 10 percent next year, and a final 10 percent in 2026.”
Manumanunitoga indicated that many members support the idea of a strike and that all necessary steps for the secret ballot have been completed. He also suggested there might be double standards, noting that while the nurses association and the USP Staff Association were granted secret ballots, the FTA has not received the same consideration.
Inquiries directed to Minister of Education Aseri Radrodro, Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca, and Acting Permanent Secretary for Employment and Industrial Relations Atish Kumar have not been answered.