The Fiji police force has recommended the formation of a trade union for its officers to raise their living standards.
The Fiji Times says this follows a report yesterday that 70 per cent of officers live below the official poverty line.
The newspaper quotes the acting commissioner, Moses Driver, as saying the force hopes for better conditions for its officers with the establishment of a union.
Mr Driver says there are over three thousand six hundred officers employed by the force, of whom nearly 2000 are regular officers, while the others are special constables.
He says the special constables have poor work conditions and are treated differently to regular officers.
Mr Driver says the Police Act forbids the formation of a union within the force, but they have recommended one to raise issues concerning the general welfare of officers.
