28 Mar 2006

Tonga PSA pleased with government restructure

3:14 pm on 28 March 2006

The Public Service Association in Tonga says it is reasonably satisfied with the restructuring plan of the government sector with a few minor exceptions.

The Privy Council has approved the new structure that will reduce ministries from 16 to 14.

The Ministries of Civil Aviation and Marine and Ports have merged to form the Ministry of Transport, while a Ministry of Employment, Training, Youth and Sports has been created.

The PSA Secretary, Mele 'Amanaki, says the association is happy to see many of their proposals implemented although she says the government could have gone further.

"We had proposed to cut them down to ten ministers and ten ministries. Government would still be able to carry out its responsibilities at a cheaper expense."