Cabinet has started meeting to discuss the Fiji Nurses Association's demands as the FNA members prepare to walk off their jobs at midnight tonight.

Before entering the cabinet meeting room this morning, Interim Public Service Minister Poseci Bune said that it all depends on cabinet on whether it wants to accommodate the requests of the Nurses Association.

However Bune has made it clear that the government can only afford to give the 1 percent pay cut restoration in December this year and not the full 5 percent restoration next month.

Nurses Association General Secretary, Kuini Lutua who was briefing the nurses about the planned strike in Vunidawa yesterday, is back in Suva and attending a meeting with the FNA executives.

Lutua will speak to us in the next hour on their planned strike. It has been confirmed that the FNA has given Bune until midday today to come back with a reply before they announce their plans for strike from midnight tonight.

Meanwhile Village News has received confirmation that the Health Ministry asked all the nurses around the country yesterday on whether they would go on strike from midnight tonight or remain at work.

The nurses have given their decision to the ministry and it is understood that rosters have now been prepared for midnight tonight and onwards, if the FNA members do go on strike.

Interim Health Minister, Doctor Jona Senilagakali has referred all queries to Permanent Secretary, Doctor Lepani Waqatakirewa.

Stay with us for developments.