As the leaders of Tonga's civil service strike are shifting their stance to seek regime change in the kingdom, the Minister of Justice, Hon. Siaosi 'Aho, says they are holding the people of Tonga hostage with unreasonable demands.
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Results for Government
Saturday 27 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Saturday 27 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
New Zealand's Judge Thomas Goddard will leave Tonga tomorrow night, and he said it was unfortunate that parties in the ongoing civil service strike were unable to agree on a process of mediation today.

Friday 26 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Although the Tonga government this evening conceded to provide an interim salary scale and to provide a lump sum of money for independently adjudicated salary rises, the PSA has again refused to return to the negotiating table.

Friday 26 August 2005
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My spirit has been moved by the situation that goes on in our island paradise Tonga. I am saddened by the fact that our Noble leaders and some of the royal family could take for granted what God had blessed them with. - Kia Fualalo

Friday 26 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Over 100 public civil servants sailed from ‘Eua this morning and marched from the Tu'imatamoana Wharf to join the civil service strike at Pangai Si'i, in Nuku‘alofa.

Friday 26 August 2005
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Ontario, Canada
It seems that little had been said on the third parties to this national strike, which are the public (people in the outer towns, NGOs, foreigners and tourists alike) and also the business community. - Brian Sutton

Thursday 25 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Princess Regent, Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita brought tears and comfort to civil servants strikers today who applauded her after she delivered a heartfelt speech at Pangai Si'i. Story and pictures by Linny Folau

Thursday 25 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's frustrated Public Service Association said last night that it will not negotiate with government to end the five weeks long civil servants strike, "until their conditions to return to work are met by government."

Sunday 21 August 2005
4 comments
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Any hope for a quick solution to the continuing national strike by Tonga's Civil Servants remains wishful thinking as we enter the fifth week of the strike, with both sides negotiating at a two steps forward and four steps backward speed. By Pesi Fonua

Wednesday 17 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Offices and cars at Tonga College were smashed this morning, in an outbreak of violence by students, reportedly angered over the government's removal yesterday of their principal and head tutor during Tonga's ongoing civil service strike.
Removed, Principal of Tonga College, Tu'amelie Faaitu'a (left) and his head tutor Lopaki Fifita

Wednesday 17 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As Tonga's Public Servants' strike entered its fourth week, Nunia Mone of the government's Public Service Commission claimed that more public servants have returned to work.

Monday 15 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A rumour of public servants being dismissed from the civil service and that new doctors and teachers were being recruited from overseas, was denied this morning by Kelepi Makakaufaki, the Secretary for the Tonga Government's Public Service Commission.

Monday 15 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
After all efforts had failed to find a solution to a three week old strike by Tonga's civil service, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV joined over 5,000 people at the Teufaiva Stadium on Sunday evening to pray for a solution.

Sunday 14 August 2005
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San Jose,California, USA
I must thank you personally for a job well done on the continuous coverage on the strike of civil servants in Tonga.

Saturday 13 August 2005
4 comments
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan government was this afternoon ordered by the Chief Justice to refrain from removing the public from Pangai Si'i, where rallies have been held for the past three weeks during the national strike by civil servants.

Saturday 13 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A growing crowd, that was shut out of Pangai Si'i this morning, is gathering outside Tonga's parliament and court house, and singing loudly while they await a decision expected this afternoon from Tonga's Chief Justice - that may or may not allow them to return to their rallying point.

Friday 12 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's striking civil servants left Pangai Si‘i this afternoon, after agreeing to disperse at 2pm, while waiting for a judicial injunction they are seeking, against an order to leave Pangai Si‘i.

Friday 12 August 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An excited crowd of strikers and their families surged onto Pangai Si‘i this morning, defying a police cordon that was attempting to shut down the area at the heart of the civil servants strike.

Wednesday 10 August 2005
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Suva, Fiji
I am currently in Fiji and heard from an officer of the SPBE that he had yet to receive this letter from the Public Sevant Association on behalf of striking students. In this age of Information Technology and email communications I would have thought it of utmost concern and responsibility on behalf of these students that contact was made prior to the proposed teachers and student's march.

Wednesday 10 August 2005
12 comments
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The King's command has failed to resolve Tonga's strike, and early reports this evening were that Tonga...s dissatisfied civil servants agreed to continue their strike, and they are refusing to budge from Pangai Si‘i after being ordered to move by Cabinet.
