From the House, translation summary by Pesi Fonua.

Tonga's Minister of Health outlined salary rises that had been given to 823 of his staff, including 49-100% for lower levels, while some People's Representatives were still calling for a return to the old salary scale.

Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 26, Thursday August 18, 2005.

- Minister of Police reports on the burning of Inland Revenue vehicles.

- 'Akilisi Pohiva moved for a Vote of No confidence in Government.

- Minister of Education said that MPs are telling teachers who are back at work to return to Pangai Si'i, and that the PR for the Niuas called on teachers in the Niuas to close down the schools.

- Minister of Justice said that government could not afford the demand for 60, 70, and 80% salary rise by public servants.

- The Minister of Health gave a breakdown of a salary rise for his 823 staff.

- 'Uliti Uata said that the new salary scale was for a democratic form of government but not for Tonga.

Five cars set on fire

The Speaker, Hon. Veikune, dissolved the Legislature and called for the proceedings to continue in the Whole House Committee.

A Tongatapu Noble's Representative, Prince Tu'ipelehake, requested that the Minister of Police report to the House on what had happened that morning. [The burning of Inland Revenue vehicles].

The Minister of Police, Hon. Nuku, said that at 4 am in the morning the police were informed that vehicles were burning behind the Westpac Bank of Tonga building at Hala Lelue. The building was occupied by the Inland Revenue service and five cars, all belong to the Inland Revenue were set on fire, four were gutted and one could be repaired. He said there was no suspect and the police were still investigating.

Call for a Vote of no confidence

A Tongatapu People's Representative, 'Akilisi Pohiva, said that the government could not protect the rights and the property of the people, and therefore could not carry out its responsibility of securing law and order, and therefore he was moving for a Vote of No Confidence.

The Speaker said that 'Akilisi was jumping to the conclusion, there was still time to talk, and that we have had peace for 131 years.

'Akilisi said that the strike had been going on for three weeks and it appeared that government was not capable of coming up with a solution.

The Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Dr Tevita Palefau, quoted from the Bible that they should persevere in doing good things. He said that Tonga College was damaged the day before and the office of the Ministry of Education was damaged last night. He said that when members of the House visited Tonga College yesterday he was told that some members told the teachers who were there to return to Pangai Si'i. He said he had also received information that the PR for the Niuas had requested for the schools at the Niuas to be closed down.

The Speaker said he was not aware of what members of parliament were trying to do, but he pledged that any request for supplementary funding from the Ministry of Education would be supported by the House for the sake of the future generations of the country.

Watching television

The Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Cecil Cocker, referred to the matter raised by the Minister of Education and he said that he had watched members on television and he was sure that they had infringed Clause 89 of the House's regulation.

A Tongatapu People's Representative, Clive Edwards, pointed out to the Acting Prime Minister that when the Public Servants issued an industrial notice it was the responsibility of the employer, the government to sort the problem out instead of saying that they had disobeyed regulations. He pointed out that the public servants had a constitutional right to withdraw their labour and their service.

The Minister of Justice, Hon. Siaosi 'Aho, said that the negotiating team of the Cabinet and that of the strikers were to meet at 3 pm the following day and 'Akilisi had requested for members to be also present.

'Akilisi said that the meeting had been confirmed for the following day but the question remained what the House could do to stop the continuing damage to property. He wanted an answer.

The Acting Prime Minister said that order would be restored soon if PRs kept their oath and stopped infringing the House's regulations.

'Akilisi said that the Acting Prime Minister was responsible for the problem that the country was currently facing because he failed to advise the Prime Minister.

The Acting Prime Minister said that he had requested to the member to try and maintain peace, but that was not what was being preached at Pangai Si'i.

Proposal for return to work

Prince Tu'ipelehake wanted to know if it was true that there was a proposal from the striking Civil Servants and if it was met by government they would return to work. Secondly he wanted to know if such a proposal has been presented what has happened to it, what has been the government's response.

The Minister of Justice said that the proposal was for 60, 70, and 80% and the government's response was that it could not afford to give them such a rise.

30-100% salary rises

On a different issue, Clive Edwards wanted the Minister of Finance to confirm if it was correct what he had said in the House that he had given salary rises, averaging between 30 and 100%.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Siosiua 'Utoikamanu, confirmed that the rise had been implemented in most government departments.

Health salary rises

The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Viliami Tangi, said he would give an outline of the salary rises that has been given to his staff of 823.

Old Salary, No. of Workers, %Rise

$2000, 195, 72%

$3000, 95, 49%

$4000, 52, 64%

$5000, 49, 60%

$6000, 45, 44%

$7000, 67, 28%

$8000, 78, 27%

$9000, 70, 22%

$10-20,000, 148, 27%

$20,000+, 24, 43%

$2-7000, 33, 80-90%, 16, 90-100%, 36, 100%+

Clive Edwards wanted to know if this was the salary scale that the Civil Servants were unhappy about.

The Minister of Health said that the scale he had just outlined was not what the Civil Servants were dissatisfied about. He also said that out of his 823 workers 84% have returned to work. He also pointed out that the $7.1 million that was approved by the House plus $5 million that was allocated by the Minister of Finance made this salary rise possible for his staff.

Old salary scale

A Ha'apai People's Representative, 'Uliti Uata, pointed out that the striking Civil Servants were still dissatisfied with the new model of salary scale, they wanted to go back to the old model. He stressed that their main objection was against the new model.

The Chairman reminded the member that they were discussing a response from government on a petition.

The Niuas People's Representative, Lepolo Taunisila, reminded the Chairman that the petition was for a salary rise of 60, 70, and 80% to be based on the old salary scale.

'Uliti Uata made a point that the new salary scale that was introduced by government was for democratic countries and therefore it was not suitable for countries like Tonga. He said that government should give in to the demand of the Civil Servants.