Ministry asked over pay gap

Concerns have been raised regarding civilian employees working within the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), who may be missing out on salary increases. Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu questioned during the debate on the 2026-2027 Appropriation Bill whether these workers are being overlooked due to not falling under the same categories as military personnel or regular civil servants. He noted that some civilian staff within disciplined forces have voiced worries about not being included when civil service salary increases are announced.

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Some civilian staff serving within disciplined forces had raised concerns that they were not included when civil service salary increases were announced.

Seruiratu directed his questions to Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua, asking for clarification on the situation within the RFMF. Tikoduadua responded that he was not aware of any RFMF civilian employees missing pay increases. However, he acknowledged that the matter warrants investigation. He explained that some civilian staff are seconded from the Ministry of Finance, while others are directly employed by the RFMF.

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I was not aware of any RFMF civilian employees missing out on pay increases, but I acknowledge that the matter needs to be investigated.

Tikoduadua clarified that directly employed RFMF civilian staff are considered during employment-related pay adjustments. He pledged to look into whether any employees have been excluded due to unclear categorization within either system. Meanwhile, Parliament also scrutinized the Ministry of Defence's staffing costs after Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj raised concerns over the allocation for wages and operations.

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Workers directly employed by the RFMF are considered when employment-related pay adjustments are made, but I will look into whether any employees had been left out because they did not clearly belong to either system.

Maharaj questioned a $2.8 million allocation for personal emoluments and wages, especially when the Ministry's remaining operational budget appeared smaller after a $15 million grant to the Fiji Servicemen Aftercare Fund. He suggested the Ministry might have too many staff relative to its operational funds. Tikoduadua rejected this, explaining that salaries cover Ministry of Defence employees across various areas, including intelligence, while operational funds support activities, vehicles, and fuel. Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel added that government employee salaries are processed through the Ministry of Finance system, not directly from a ministry's operational budget.

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Government employees’ salaries are paid through the Ministry of Finance system and do not come directly from the Ministry’s operational funding.