Cabinet rejects parliament's attempt to resolve Tongan strike [1]
Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 19:45. Updated on Monday, May 12, 2014 - 10:18.
Tonga's independent media was barred by staff of the Prime Minister's Office this evening from attending a "Press Announcement " made by Cabinet Ministers after Cabinet rejected parliament 's attempt to resolve an ongoing civil service strike.
At a special meeting Cabinet rejected yesterday's Parliamentary Resolution, which called on government to action a Letter of Petition from the Public Service Association.
At 5 pm today the Minister of Lands, Hon. Fielakepa, the Governor of Vava'u, Hon. 'Akau'ola, the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Viliami Tangi, and the Minister of Finance, Hon. Siosiua 'Utoikamanu made what they called a "Press Announcement" at the Prime Minister's Office. But the staff of the PM's office turned away Tongan media who arrived to cover the statement, excepting for the staff of the government-owned Radio and Television Tonga.
It was reported later that the Cabinet ministers were expecting all of the Tongan media to be present for the announcement.
"The barring of independent media means that Ministers who were trying to explain themselves were denied the opportunity of easing the growing tension in the community because of the ongoing strike," said Pesi Fonua, Chairman of the Media Council Inc. of Tonga.
Grievances
The PSA letter, now labeled as the "Letter of 60, 70 and 80" outlined a salary rise for the over 4,000 public servants, which would cost $20 million. The PSA proposed for the salaries of Levels 2 to 5 to be increased by 60%, Levels 6 to 10 to be increased by 70% and Levels 11 to the lowest 14A to be increased by 80%.
In the House last night Government Ministers chose not to vote on a motion that was moved by Prince Tu'ipelehake for a Parliamentary Resolution, calling on Government to take immediate action on a letter of petition from the PSA that was presented to the House on Tuesday July 26.
The letter was also presented the week before by the PSA to the Prime Minister . The first response from the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Cecil Cocker to the President of the PSA, Finau Tutone on Saturday was that government could not action their demands and that they had to follow procedure, and seek a remedy to their grievances through the Heads of Departments and the Public Service Commission. Then the frustrated PSA decided to seek the assistance of parliament to push their case.
The Chief Clerk of the House, Tevita 'Ova, said that Prince Tu'ipelehake's motion in the Whole House Committee for a resolution was passed 15-0. However, none of the Cabinet Ministers voted.
Tevita said that when the motion for a resolution came up again for votes in Legislature, it was carried with votes of 14-0. He said that none of the Cabinet Ministers voted, and that the People's Representatives and the Nobles' Representatives voted in favour of it.
The Resolution was then supposed to be tabled to a Cabinet meeting this morning to be chaired by the Prime Minister (who was rumoured to have returned from overseas last night).
Finau Tutone, the President of the PSA, said this morning that the strikers were gathering at Mala'e Pangai Si'i awaiting the outcome of the Cabinet meeting.
He said that if Cabinet would not accept their proposals they were looking at taking legal action and presenting a petition to the King.