Civil servants are working under a climate of fear and victimisation, claims Unity Fiji party leader and former Reserve Bank of Fiji governor Savenaca Narube.
He made the comments in response to the announcement on the non-renewal of the employment contract for the acting secretary-general to Parliament, Viniana Namosimalua.
Mr Narube said Ms Namosimalua had been acting in her role for three years.
“That is a long time for a person to be acting in any position let alone a senior position at the highest body in the land,” he said.
“To be told that she is not good enough for the position after three years is criminal.”
He also claimed that the climate of fear and victimisation experienced by civil servants now was never before experienced, even before independence.
“In such a climate, the entire decision-making of government suffers. The morale of the entire civil service is shattered. This comes at a heavy cost.”
Mr Narube said Fiji was paying a huge price for the wrong and irrelevant policy decisions made by the Government, the lack of innovation, and the impact of the constant changes in senior positions.
“The people, especially the poor, are already paying the price of poor economic and financial management.
“They are already carrying the burden of the poor delivery of government services, the lack of essential medical supplies, the worsening conditions of our roads, the growing traffic congestion, and the increasing cost of educating our children.”
Mr Narube acknowledged the work done by Ms Namosimalua.
“Our thoughts are with Ms Namosimalua and all the civil servants who are subjected to the unjust and unfair working conditions that they endure in their daily lives.”
Meanwhile, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is yet to respond to Mr Narube’s statement.
