Thousands of Fiji's public servants are to receive pay increases covering a five-year period from 2003 to 2007.
The prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has signed and agreement with three major unions giving public servants a 2 per cent increase for the year 2003, and the full arbitration award as well a 2 per cent increase for 2004.
Mr Qarase says for each of the three years from 2005 to 2007, the public servants will receive a straight out across the board payment of 4 per cent in place of the annual Cost of Living Adjustments.
The unions which have signed up for the payments are the Fijian Teachers Association, the Viti Civil Servants Association and Public Employees Union.
