Prison officers can expect a salary increase from August 1.

Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga said this was part of a salary reform program for corrections services who have been fighting for a pay rise.

He said the increase comes on the back of revelations that the wardens were working under questionable contracts.

“Everyone in the Fiji Corrections Service are on temporary positions,” said Mr Turaga.

“That was a control mechanism done by the past administration who warned them that they could easily be replaced if they did not follow orders.

“So now we are trying to change that and find the most senior people for the job and give them some stability. The salary increase has been endorsed by Cabinet and the first payment of the new rates for Corrections will be on August 1.”

He said reaching this point was not easy.