PAY rise for civil servants totaled approximately 10-23 per cent over the past year, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Prof Biman Prasad at a post-Budget forum in Suva on Thursday night.
Prof Prasad said the salary enhancement came in two key stages, the first in August 2023 which was the initial salary increase ranging from 7-20 per cent and the second increase is from the current budget with an additional three per cent increment.
Mr Prasad said Government framed the recent salary raise as a strategic move to boost economic consumption, support civil servants’ purchasing power and stimulate overall economic activity.
“We’ve increased the salaries of the civil service by three per cent. It may not seem big but if you look at the reality of it within a year, we’ve been able to raise the civil service pay between 10-23 per cent,” the Finance Minister said.
“That’s money spending that is going to go directly into the economy.”
According to Mr Prasad, the salary increase was part of a broader economic strategy addressing cost of living pressures and supporting Government employees.
Mr Prasad further added that these incremental raises represent the first significant civil service salary adjustment since 2017.
“This salary boost is embedded within the government’s third budget, which aims to manage infrastructure deficits, control inflation and provide economic stability amid potential global economic challenges,” he said.
“The comprehensive salary increase demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting its workforce while maintaining macroeconomic stability.”
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated July 5, 2025
