Members of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) have urged Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad to resign due to ongoing pay disputes. In contrast, Prof Prasad is defending the pay increase announced for civil servants in this year’s budget.
At the FTA’s annual general meeting in Suva, retired politician Ratu Peceli Rinakama expressed that a new Finance Minister should be appointed, as he believes Prof Prasad has failed to address longstanding concerns raised by teachers.
Ratu Peceli emphasized the importance of implementing the submissions made by the members during the meeting, stating, “It is no use if we take our submissions and go back home with them.” He noted that despite the government being democratically elected, members must advocate for their own rights. He further remarked that the FTA hopes for a change in the Finance Minister due to the political environment.
In response, Prof Prasad dismissed Ratu Peceli’s comments as misinformed, noting, “He is a retired politician.” He explained that decisions regarding salaries and job evaluations fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission. Prof Prasad pointed out that the government has maintained a constructive dialogue with the FTA and that the decision to implement a salary increase ranging from 7 to 10 percent for civil servants has been positively received.
He added that a review is anticipated, which may encompass job evaluations, stating that many issues could be resolved through salary increases. Prof Prasad indicated that Ratu Peceli’s understanding of the budgetary measures related to civil servants’ salaries is evidently lacking.
He concluded that personal attacks would not hinder the government’s commitment to resolving the longstanding issues faced by teachers, with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Civil Service playing key roles in necessary reforms.