Narube Accuses Government of Prioritising Ministers’ Salaries Over Healthcare Workers

Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube has made a statement attacking the government, accusing Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of placing ministerial salaries and travel allowances above the welfare of the Fijian people, particularly frontline medical workers.

In a statement released this week, Narube criticised the government's explanation for the non-payment of medical workers’ overtime, calling it “hypocritical at the highest level.”

“The Prime Minister has put his salaries and travel allowances and those of his Ministers above the lives of people,” said Narube, a former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji. “How can the PM say that there is a lack of funds when he has appointed the highest number of Ministers in the history of Fiji and approved a significant pay rise within six months of taking office?”

He said the government had shown “no shame” in making such statements while failing to compensate health workers who play a vital role in saving lives.

Narube argued that the non-payment of overtime was a clear signal that the government’s priorities were misplaced.

“By not paying overtime, the PM has again told the people that their needs are secondary, and that the government’s priority is to line their pockets and protect their political future,” he said.

The Unity Fiji leader called on the government to cut ministerial salaries and overseas travel expenses to cover healthcare workers’ entitlements. He urged citizens to demand better treatment and accountability.

“The people have had enough of being relegated to second class. We must bring an end to this unfair treatment. You and I deserve better,” Narube said.