1 Mar 2007

Fijian Teachers Association says morale low as public servants face pay cuts

4:21 pm on 1 March 2007

The president of the Fijian Teachers Association, Tevita Koroi, says morale among public servants is very low as they face pay cuts and a lowering of the retirement age.

The interim cabinet is reported to be going ahead with the decision to cut wages by five percent and reduce the retirement age from 60 to 55 but an official announcement is not expected until tomorrow when the budget is presented.

Mr Koroi says they won't take action until they are formally notified but he says the association will look at a number of options, including registering a trade dispute with the Labour ministry, challenging the decision in court, or opting to strike.

He says the mood among public servants is not good.

"The morale is very low, there's a lot of uncertainty. It's not work as usual although people continue to carry out their responsibilities, they have these issues hanging over their heads all the time, and it makes people ask a lot of questions."

Tevita Koroi, the president of the Fijian Teachers Association.