Minister for Public Enterprises Charan Jeath Singh has criticised Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu for suggesting the size of the civil service should be reduced, arguing such a move would undermine the delivery of government services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Singh questioned how the Opposition expected government to function while advocating cuts to the public service.
“Where do you start from there? At one stage, you want the government to run properly, and you cut civil servants,” he said.
Singh said Fiji has about 34,000 civil servants and suggested reducing their numbers would have significant political and social consequences.
“There’s 34,000 civil servants in this country. Multiply by 10, that’s 340,000 votes, and you will not get a single vote. Believe me,” he said.
The minister also took aim at comments attributed to the Opposition in the media.
“Which party do you belong to? The paper said that. Fiji Sun said that, and we didn’t believe Fiji Sun until today,” Singh told Parliament.
His remarks came during debate in Parliament, where the size of the civil service and the efficiency of government operations were discussed.
Seruiratu has previously argued that Fiji’s public service should be reviewed to improve efficiency and reduce government expenditure.
