6 Feb 2007

Fiji's unions threatens industrial action if interim government cuts pay

11:41 am on 6 February 2007

Fiji's unions say they will take action if the interim government cuts the pay for public servants.

The interim finance minister, Mahendra Chaudry, says pay cuts and ministerial reductions might be part of the new budget to be announced next month.

The general secretary of the Public Service Association, Rajeshwar Singh, says a meeting with the public service commission is planned today.

Mr Singh says it does not exclude strike action if the negotiations fail and the government goes ahead with its plan.

"We will take that action. But we do not want to jump the gun, because the minister said it is an option. But when we know that there it is, then we definitely will cross the bridge when we come to it."

Rajeshwar Singh.