Tonga's Cabinet has this afternoon warned striking public servants, who are planning a mass march on Monday, that if they do not return to work on Monday they will be dealt with under the Public Service regulations.

At a press conference Cabinet members, Hon. 'Akau'ola, (the Governor of Vava...‘u), and the Minister of Justice Hon. Siaosi 'Aho, said that Cabinet supported the call by the government's Public Service Commission for all civil servants to return to work on Monday August 8, at 8.30 a.m.

"It is important for them to be part of trying to set a new scale for their salaries, which is better than before, so their participation is very important," said Hon. Akau'ola.

When asked if the civil servants returned what would be the new salary scale, Hon. 'Akau'ola replied that the new scale would be discussed when they returned. In order to establish a new scale their participation was needed.

When asked what would happen if the striking civil servants do not co-operate, the Minister of Justice said, "if they don't come back then they will come under the public service regulation."

PSA march

It was understood, but not stated at the press conference held at Television Tonga's studio, that under the Public Service regulations strikers may be dismissed or punished.

The thinly veiled threat of dismissals comes as the striking Public Service Association (PSA) is gearing up for a mass march to the Palace on Monday, which is set to be Tonga's largest ever mass demonstration.