THE Government has acknowledged that the $50 allowance paid to village turaga ni koro may be too low, with Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica saying the matter could be revisited in the next budget.
He said the Government was working to increase allowances for certain support roles when resources allowed.
“We do acknowledge that perhaps the village headman remuneration is probably too low,’ he said
He raised this after the Nukubalavu Village headman raised money that the allowance they were getting were not enough to feed a family.
“All I can say is it’s work in progress, and I’m sure the Ministry of Finance will relook at it again at the next budget.”
He said the Government would also check whether village headmen could be covered under workers’ compensation for injuries sustained while performing their duties.
He said the Government was also working to strengthen support structures, noting that existing systems could be activated to deliver assistance to communities.
