Results for Government

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.

I must thank you personally for a job well done on the continuous coverage on the strike of civil servants in 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.

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.

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.

Most Government schools in Nuku‘alofa remained closed today while striking teachers took part in another march, in spite of a warning from Cabinet that they were now absent without leave. The Director of Education, Viliami Takau, said today that Government school teachers who did not return to school this morning at 8:30 a.m., "showed great disrespect to the decision by Government for schools to commence Term 3 today."

A financial appeal was launched by Tonga's striking civil servants on Friday, targeting local businesses and Tongans overseas, as the strikers broadened their demands.

A $2 million offer by Tonga's Ministry of Education to increase the salaries of government teachers, was rejected by striking teachers when it was announced by the Minister of Education, Rev. Dr Tevita Palefau and the Director of Education, Viliami Takau, at the 'Atele Indoor Stadium yesterday evening, August 5.

Health workers, including doctors, nurses, dentists and supporting staff at Tonga's main Vaiola Hospital meeting this evening decided to strike, starting at 12.30 pm tomorrow, Friday.