UNIONS HAPPY WITH GOVT’S CONSULTATION STANCE
We are thankful that we are being consulted on other issues. In fact, just yesterday PS Civil Service called us for consultation in regards to the FNU tax levy.
Judith Kotobalavu Fiji Public Service Association general secretary
Trade unions representing civil servants are optimistic that they will be consulted by the Government regarding civil service reforms.
With the Government making it a key priority in its Medium Term Fiscal Strategy (MTFS) released in February, unions have yet to be informed on what to expect.
“In terms of right sizing, firstly we need consultation with regards to any restructure in the civil service. So that it is a bilateral decision rather than a unilateral decision,” said Judith Kotobalavu, general secretary for the Fiji Public Service Association.
“Our experience so far is that when it comes to civil service restructure, what actually happens is redundancy takes place in the name of right sizing.
And that affects our members.
“So, it has social implications, it affects their livelihoods and for some of our members who are sole breadwinners, it affects their family’s livelihood. And they are forced to look for other sources of income to be able to put food on the table.
“So, we need to be updated on the procedures. If it’s a bilateral decision, if the union is satisfied then there has to be transparency and accountability whereby, we are updated on the processes and the procedures that’s been carried out by the government. That is our stand on right sizing.”
In its MTFS, the Government broadly stated the need to either limit or scale back its expenditure starting with a ‘holistic review to right-size the civil service and contain the public sector wage bill’.
FPSA has yet to hear from the government on the details of this reform plan but is optimistic that when the time comes, it will have a seat at the table.
“We are thankful that we are being consulted on other issues. In fact, just yesterday PS Civil Service called us for consultation in regards to the Fiji National University (FNU) tax levy as they’re planning to make some changes in the policy, so we’re glad they’re calling us for consultation. And we also have been assured that later, he will call us for another meeting with regards to our log of claims so it looks promising that this government will consult the unions in regards to civil service issues,” Kotobalavu said.
Fijian Teachers Association
Fijian Teachers Association President, Netani Druavesi is also optimistic of more engagements with the Government.
“FTA has not heard from the government regarding civil service reforms but we are aware that it is among its priorities. For now, we have a very cordial relationship with the government and we are happy that they are talking to us. It’s a big change from how things were during the last government when things were done unilaterally,” he said, adding that they would expect to be consulted when the government makes its decision on civil service reforms. The Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) and the Fiji Nursing Association (FTA) were unavailable for comments.
Veteran unionist
However, veteran unionist and former FNA general secretary Kuini Lutua cautioned the Government on its proposed reform.
“I’m very worried about that, particularly with the civil service,” she said. “At one time, I think in 2005, that sort of came up and we went against it. “Our argument was that this was civil servants that were implementing services such as health professionals. And if you are going to down size, how will you do it? What right do you have to remove someone from an employment contract that they’ve already signed.
“And the second thing is: just the thought about downsizing is going to create negative sentiments. My advice to this government is to be very careful when talking about reducing or downsizing.
“The wordings can be very negative in the minds of people that we need. Because right now, New Zealand and Australia have opened their own markets to people, particularly young people, to come over because they have shortage of professionals too.
“So I think that’s an exercise that the Public Service Commission needs to review very strategically and very carefully because what we don’t want to do is to lose these people that we need.”
It is understood the Public Service Commission has appointed four local experts to carry out due diligence on the undertaking.