The Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) has given the government until the end of September to accept their demand for a 30 percent salary increase. If the request is ignored, they will initiate a secret ballot for potential strike action.
FTA General Secretary Paula Manumanunitoga stated that this decision was made during their annual general meeting on Tuesday. He emphasized, “The annual general meeting reached a unanimous conclusion to continue negotiations with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, and the Civil Service Ministry for improved pay.”
He further explained, “We are insisting on a 30 percent increase for teachers, a decision that was unanimously approved.” The government has proposed a staggered approach instead, suggesting a 10 percent increase this year, another 10 percent next year, and the final 10 percent in 2026.
Manumanunitoga noted that there is strong support among members for strike action and that the association has met all necessary requirements for conducting the secret ballot. He also raised concerns about perceived double standards, pointing out that while the nurses association and the USP Staff Association were allowed to conduct secret ballots, the FTA’s request was denied.
Attempts to contact Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, Permanent Secretary Selina Kuruleca, and Acting Permanent Secretary for Employment and Industrial Relations Atish Kumar for comments have gone unanswered.