16 Apr 2008

Fiji Methodists at odds with interim regime over pay for foreign consultants

3:33 pm on 16 April 2008

Fiji's Methodist Church says it is insensitive for the interim government to pay huge salaries to foreign consultants when people in the country are suffering.

It is questioning why some overseas consultants involved with the National Council for Building a Better Fiji charter are paid salaries of up to 8,000 US dollars a month.

The Church's Assistant Secretary, the Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu, says that's not fair given the increase in the cost of living and the rate of poverty in Fiji.

"That is why the church raises that concern that there's sign of being insensitive to the nation and the people suffering."

The Reverend Waiqaratu says the interim government's priority should be the people, and alleviating poverty.