Fiji Sun

Govt sets An excellent Example for All employers

- NEMANI DELAIBATIK­I Feedback: nemani.delaibatik­i@fijisun.com.fj

As the country’s biggest employer, the Government has set a fine example to all employers – do everything you can to protect your workers – they are your most valuable assets if you are serious about rebuilding during this COVID-19 economic crisis.

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum announced on Friday night during his presentati­on of the $3.67 billion 2020-2021 National Budget that all permanent secretarie­s and chief executive officers of statutory organisati­ons would take a 10 per cent pay cut but all the other civil servants will still receive their full salaries.

At a time when some employers may be tempted to release their workers because of financial challenges, the Government has shown leadership by the way it manages its affairs in a responsibl­e way. If the workers are well looked after they will produce and even go beyond the call of duty to help keep the wheels of progress turning.

It takes courage and commitment on the part of the Government to maintain its workforce when revenue has plummeted.

There will be some reduction in meal allowance and overtime will not be paid in cash. Instead civil servants can take leave in lieu of overtime pay.

With some tweaking here and there the Government has been able to protect the jobs of the largest workforce in the country.

It has been able to do this with the multilater­al assistance of internatio­nal agencies which have confidence in the Fijian brand and the integrity of the Government’s management of its finances.

They also know that Fiji is a major player in the region and it will continue to play that role in the future in the interest of the region’s political and economic stability with their support.

It also deserves recognitio­n for coming up with a blueprint that will steady the nation and position it strategica­lly to be able to meet the challenges of the future.

And there will be challenges no doubt. The Budget gives us a firm base to work from as we face the future.

The whole range of initiative­s from tax cuts to other relief measures are designed to not only help us ride the storm but to rebuild after the crisis has passed. The initial response from independen­t financial and economic experts has been positive. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum and his team have done an amazing job with this Budget. They have restored confidence that we can overcome the challenges in this crisis. There is one way to sum it up – they have nailed it.

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