Photos by Linny Folau

The marches included nearly 600 health workers and, at different times, about 100 teachers, pupils and parents from the Nuku‘alofa Primary School, about 100 from the Tonga Institute of Education, and 50 from the Catholic Women's League. They joined the throng of people at Pangai Si'i, which has now become like a "Speakers' Corner" where people have been airing their grievances, next to the Treasury and the Prime Minister's Office and within sight of the Royal Palace.

Nuku‘alofa Primary School

Many young pupils from Class 1 to Class 6 marched together with their parents and some of their teachers and called out the name of their Principal, ‘Ativeniana Pomana, a member of the Public Servants Association Strategy Committee. She welcomed her pupils by saying that they "had proven themselves today as the smartest of all Primary schools in Tonga".

The children then stood up and yelled, "Cabinet, we want to go back to school!" and then one stood up and cried asking for their teachers to hurry up and come back to school.

Catholic Women's League

As the students left the field about 50 women from the Catholic Women...’s League marched in led by their President Isabella Tu...’ivai. The group shared scripture, sang hymns and said prayers reminding the crowd of God...’s grace.

Tonga Institute of Education

They were followed by the students of the Tonga Institute of Education who after marching from the other side of Pangai Lahi, dressed in their best uniforms, greeted the huge crowd with speeches in support of the PSA‘’s mission for "justice" in Tonga.

Health workers

The last march of the day, pulled in nearly six hundred health workers who walked out of their essential jobs at Vaiola Hospital. They included doctors, nurses, dentists, laboratory and x-ray specialist, administration staff, chefs, drivers and the maintenance workers.

At Pangai Si‘i the crowd cheered and clapped as they quickly filled up the centre field while singing and carrying banners that said "Justice for All" and "Unity and Solidarity Forever".

Dr ‘Aivi Puloka, one of staunch supporters of the march, said that hopefully that their walking out today "was recognized by our leaders" and stressed "the importance of seeking justice in this country".

She said that yesterday they met with their Minister of Health Dr Viliami Tangi who told them that the Prime Minister was requesting them not to walk out and neglect patients.

But ‘Aivi said that it has been two weeks since the strike began and Government had proven to very slow in resolving it, and they themselves could have prevented the events that are happening today.

" So we are here in support of the quest for a fair justice for all."

Caution

‘Aivi then cautioned the people of Tonga to be careful this weekend if one was drinking or driving because the health workers at the critical areas of the hospital were on strike and there would be no doctors and nurses at Vaiola Hospital.

Fotu Fisi‘iahi, the Spokesperson for the Public Servants Association warmly welcomed health workers and told them that the reason why they did not call on them to walk out before because they wanted to show Government that they are good conscious thinking people.

He said that their presence and physical support today had strengthened the striking civil servants search for the truth, and he hoped that Government would accept their pleas.

Fotu then jokingly reminded health workers to also remember to bring along their medical equipment to Pangai next week in case someone was need of it.

The health workers went on strike today after they were dissatisfied yesterday, Thursday, with Cabinet'’s response to their letter, stating that Government could not meet the 60, 70 and 80% pay rises demanded.

Meanwhile ‘Aivi said that all health workers at the hospital...’s critical areas are on strike but there were still a few workers left at the hospital.

A mass march to the King for Monday August 8 is still going ahead.