Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji interim administration to privatise some civil service jobs

Posted at 22:19 on 02 August, 2007 UTC

Fiji’s interim administration is to privatise some of the jobs usually done by members of the Public Employees Union who went on strike yesterday.

The interim minister for the public service, Poseci Bune, says the privatisation was part of the reform plans that have been speeded up because of the strike.

The services that will be privatised include the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, jetties, government buildings and vehicles.

Also to go to private contractors will be repair and maintenance of water supply and sewerage, and cleaning and catering services for government institutions.

The government has advertised for expressions of interest from companies both locally and abroad by next week.

Mr Bune says privatisation will result in greater efficiency in these services and save the government a lot of money.