The Suva High Court has today ruled that the interim government was in breach of the constitution in reducing the retirement age in the civil service from 60 to 55 years.
Judge Justice Filimoni Jitoko ruled in favor of the civil servants after the Fijian Teachers Association and the Fiji Public Service Association took the matter to court in March this year following a cabinet decision to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 55 years.
In his ruling, Justice Jitoko states that in lowering the retirement age, without the agreement of the affected party, the interim government had acted in breach of the constitution which protects an individual from discrimination based on age.
The judge declared that the decision is unlawful and therefore null and void and the order to reduce the retirement age is quashed.
FTA lawyer Joe Raikadroka said the court’s ruling highlights that the interim government must adhere to the constitution.
FPSA Industrial Relations Officer Nirbhay Singh said the interim government should ensure it consults the unions before making any policy changes in the future.
The Attorney Generals chambers is expected to make a statement later this afternoon.
