The Public Service Association (PSA) has applied to the Tonga Supreme Court for an injunction to stop government from implementing a new salary structure that was introduced on 1 July 2016.

The application for an injunction on 8 August is the PSA's latest attempt to stop government from implementing a new salary structure. Since 2012 the government’s Remuneration Authority has been working on the new structure for all positions to be paid from public funds.

On June 29 the PSA petitioned government to defer the introduction of the new salary structure from 1 July 2016 to 1 January 2017. It was rejected by government on 8 July.

On 12 July the PSA also petitioned King Tupou VI to defer the new salary structures for civil servants from July 12016 to 1 January 2017.

While awaiting a response from the Palace Office the PSA pushed on ahead and applied for an injunction from the Supreme Court.

The PSA claims that it has the support of civil servants. There have been “requests from 90% of the CEOs, and over 800 written grievances from employees in government for proper consultations to be conducted and grievances addressed,” it stated.