Proposal: civil servants in Tonga to receive 40% cola

Despite Tonga relying on overseas donors to fund 54% of its budget 2013/14, a proposal by the government last week will give civil servants a 40% cost of living allowance  if it is approved.

Tonga government has more than 3000 workers in which overseas countries including Australian government assists in funding salary for certain ministries including the Ministry of Health, Police and Education.

About 75% of the government annual budget is allocated to pay salaries and wages for its workers.

In last July the Asian Development Bank  recommends in a new economic report that for Tonga to get its economy back on track it has to reduce the size of its public service and a reduction of the wage bill to 45%.

The COLA proposal is the first time in eight years the government considered its civil servants salaries and wages since the pay rise in 2005. More than 10,000 Tongans took to the street to support public servant strikers who went on strike at the time after the government announced  that only the top levels of civil servant hierarchy would receive pay increases.

The strikers finally returned to work after agreeing with the government to a proportional 60,70,80 per cents pay rise, a move that analysists say it was one of the factors that contribute to an on-going battle by the Tongan government to revive its economy. 

Request for comment was sent to Treasury but was redirected to the PSA CEO Dr.  Palenitina Langa’oi. Kaniva News has not received any response yet.  

About The Author

Sometimes when a business is growing, it needs a little help.

Right now Kaniva News provides a free, politically independent, bilingual news service for readers around the world that is absolutely unique. We are the largest New Zealand-based Tongan news service, and our stories reach Tongans  wherever they are round the world. But as we grow, there are increased demands on Kaniva News for translation into Tongan on our social media accounts and for the costs associated with expansion. We believe it is important for Tongans to have their own voice and for Tongans to preserve their language, customs and heritage. That is something to which we are strongly committed. That’s why we are asking you to consider sponsoring our work and helping to preserve a uniquely Tongan point of view for our readers and listeners.

spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Latest news

Related news