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11/09/2017Published On: 01/09/2017
The Fijian Government has reviewed and approved for the increase in meal allowances and raised the ceiling for overtime for civil servants effective from 01 September 2017.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Public Enterprises, Civil Services and Communications said that the increase from $9.00 to $20.00 is to compensate civil servants working beyond official hours and out of stations.
“The review for the increase in meal allowances is part and parcel of ongoing civil service reforms, which has been initiated on the FijiFirst Government’s volition and to ensure that civil servants are adequately compensated to deliver the highest standards of service delivery for every Fijian”, the Attorney-General said.
The last increase for meal allowances for all civil servants was raised from $7.50 to $9.00 in 2006.
“We have also reviewed overtime allowances which will be based on the Salary Band of an officer rather than on Salary Scale which was previously the case and it will apply to both substantial and acting positions. Previously, only civil servants who earned less than $24,667 annually were eligible for overtime. Under the new system, civil servants, excluding teachers, whose current position is on Band E or below are now eligible for overtime allowances. The maximum annual salary for Band E is capped at $30, 515.63,” he said.
The Attorney-General further stated that as part of the reform, the Government recognises the long hours that nurses work and from 1 September 2017, registered Nurses on Band F are also eligible for Overtime. The maximum annual salary for Band F is capped at $36,103.75.
The Attorney-General said that this increase is part of a wider review of the Civil Service General Orders. He highlighted that the review by Government took into account various factors including Fiji’s socio-economic position, the need to modernise Fiji’s civil service, the need to bring in and retain civil servants based on merit and performance and to align to the prevailing market conditions.
