Members of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) are urging Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad to resign due to ongoing pay issues. However, Prof Prasad is defending the recent salary increases for civil servants that were included in this year’s budget.
At the FTA’s annual general meeting in Suva, retired politician Ratu Peceli Rinakama expressed his belief that a new Finance Minister should be appointed, citing Prof Prasad’s failure to address the longstanding concerns raised by teachers. Ratu Peceli emphasized the need for action on the submissions made at the meeting, stating, “It is no use if we take our submissions and go back home with them.”
While acknowledging the government’s democratic election, he stressed the importance of teachers advocating for their own needs, adding, “The FTA is praying that the Minister for Finance be changed because we live in a political world.”
In response, Prof Prasad dismissed Ratu Peceli’s comments as misinformation, noting, “He is a retired politician.” He argued that decisions regarding salaries and job evaluations fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission and highlighted the government’s positive relationship with the FTA. Prof Prasad pointed out that the budget’s salary increase of 7 to 10 percent for civil servants has been generally well-received.
He mentioned an upcoming review that may involve job evaluations, stating that many issues could be resolved through salary increases. Prof Prasad asserted that Ratu Peceli’s views were misguided and that his personal criticisms would not hinder the government’s commitment to addressing teachers’ concerns. He reaffirmed that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Civil Service are key players in implementing necessary reforms to tackle the ongoing issues faced by educators.