PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Managing Partner, Jerome Kado, highlighted the need for the private sector to derive greater productivity from the civil service. This follows the recent salary increase announced in the 2024-2025 National Budget address. Kado voiced his concerns during a post-budget breakfast organized by FCEF at the GPH in Suva. He acknowledges the efforts of the staff, but highlighted the slow progress of results.
Kado mentioned various projects being delayed due to what he described as a “hangover in culture.” He asked for feedback on plans to enhance this within a short to medium timeframe, emphasizing the importance of speeding up the projects to achieve the intended productivity value from the recent salary increase.
In response, Mr Prasad confirmed that the issue of productivity is a topic of discussion within the government. He warned that the usual way of conducting business cannot persist. Prasad encouraged ministers and permanent secretaries to explore methods of expediting processes and approvals within appropriate policies and laws.
Prasad emphasized that employee satisfaction, a decent wage, and raising minimum wages and salaries are crucial factors for increasing overall productivity. With 42,000 publicly funded employees in the civil service costing about $1.2 billion, the government aims to enhance the civil service’s productivity and efficiency. He also announced a thorough review of the civil service structure to foster efficiency and productivity.