12 Jun 2007

Tonga public servants demand three PSC members resign

1:12 pm on 12 June 2007

Tonga's Public Service Association has called for the resignation of the chairperson of the Public Service Commission, in a challenge to the government's appointment process.

The PSA says the prime minister, Dr Feleti Sevele, failed to follow the normal recruitment process of government when he chose three Commission members.

The PSA also accuses them of not acting in the best interest of the public service and the public servants of the government of Tonga

In a statement, the PSA says the commissioners are being paid despite Dr Sevele having told the public that they would not be on the government payroll.

The PSA has given the three commissioners Mishka Tu'ifua, Tai'atu 'Ata'ata and Ross Chapman until the end of the month to step down.

It has warned that if they refuse to resign, the PSA will boycott the businesses they work for or own.