19 Jun 2007

Tonga's public servants to seek King's help over wage rises and their call for reform

2:14 pm on 19 June 2007

The Tonga Public Servants Association is to petition the King over what it says are misleading comments by the Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele, that the hefty wage rises of two years are now permanent.

Dr Sevele told local media two weeks ago that the 60, 70 and 80 percent wage rises given after prolonged industrial action are being rolled over at the end of this month and are permanent.

But, the PSA's secretary, Mele Amanaki, says they have Cabinet documents that say the rises will be reviewed early next year.

She says the Prime Minister has refused to answer their queries, so they will ask King George Tupou V to resolve the matter.

"We are also going to propose to him to have the political reform implemented for the next general election, because 92 percent of the public servants want that to be done."

Mele Amanaki says the PSA does not want to undertake any industrial action.