Pay rise for 35
Council workers receive COLA
GREAT news for 35 workers at the Nadi Town Council who have been awarded a five per cent cost of living adjustment (COLA) payment effective from January 1, 2023.
This most recent update was shared by Fiji Local Government Officers Association president Rouhit Karan Singh.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the pay rise and other employment conditions was signed in the Jet Set Town last week.
Mr Singh noted that both parties agreed the back pay be paid out before March 14 and that the council and the union had agreed on the re-introduction of performance appraisal/increment effective from August 1.
“The deliberation was in a very timely manner, the thoughts of the newly-appointed board of special administrators speak volumes of their understanding of the workers’ commitment and hard-earned rights,” Mr Singh said.
“The workers and the union are now finding relief as some years back, the protection of workers’ rights had been challenging in Fiji, but now with the Coalition Government’s priority, there is great recognition and respect for our rights and benefits. Our dignity has been restored once again.”
Mr Singh believed job security was paramount, adding they would pursue the removal of individual and short-term contracts in all municipalities.
“With the Coalition Government removing the contractual appointments in the civil service, I don’t see any good reason for holding back at the municipality level the policies set at the national level.
“It has been noted that municipalities are not able to fill positions because they’re offered on contracts and have to advertise more than two to three times.
“It’s not attractive and secure. The union and council have collective agreements but it is sad that many fulltime appointments are on contracts with fixed tenure.”