The interim stay on implementation of the retirement age policy at 55 years remains in place until 10am tomorrow when a Judge of the Supreme Court will make a final decision on the stay.

Solicitor General Christopher Pryde stressed in court this morning that any stay would have a significant implication on the government which is facing a credit crisis.

Pryde said due to the credit crisis a directive has been issued by the Prime Minister’s Office to cut expenses by 50% and the reduction of the retirement age is an important tool to deal with such a crisis and stabilize government’s finances.

Counsel for the Fiji Public Service Association Viren Kapadia said the stay should be granted until the full appeal is dealt with in the June sitting of the Supreme Court which is just two and a half months away. He said the retirement age has been on hold for the last 14 months, and a stay of another two months will not cause prejudice to the state.

Supreme Court Judge Justice Randal Powell will deliver his ruling tomorrow morning at 9:30.