THE Employment Relations Court has ruled a mere movement from one station to another does not qualify a worker for allowances.

The court stated a worker has to physically move residence to qualify for allowances in a case where two Fiji Revenue and Customs Service staff had filed a case, claiming allowances after they were transferred.

The Employment Tribunal had earlier ruled Sera Vunisa and Aminio Colawai were not entitled to allowances upon transfer as they had not physically moved residence as required by the FRCS policy.

“The policy makes it very clear that if a person is initially recruited to a position, even though he or she changes residence, no allowance is payable,” said Justice Anjala Wati in her May 30 ruling.

“However, if the worker’s duty station changes thereafter, he or she is to be paid the allowances, if he or she is required to physically move residence.

“Any staff initiating or applying for transfers are not entitled to the allowance.

“A mere movement from one station to another does not qualify a worker for allowances.

“The worker has to physically move residence to qualify for allowances under the HR policy of the employer.”