PM holds meeting with SIPEU executive

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare held a very productive meeting with the Solomon Islands Public Employees Union (SIPEU) executive on Monday this week.

Welcoming the SIPEU executive at the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Sogavare thanked the SIPEU executive for always serving and supporting the National Government.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the political Government could not move things without the support of the public servants, acknowledging their hard work over the years.

Mr. Sogavare conveyed the Government’s sincere gratitude to the SIPEU executive and it’s more than 5000 financial members.  

Long-term matters discussed between the Prime Minister and the SIPEU Executive included salary increase, housing for public servants and tax-free on Long Service Benefits for all retiring public servants.

A piece of land for a new SIPEU office complex, reduction of upper salary brackets, review of Labour Laws, General Orders and Pension Act formed part of the long term goals.

SIPEU’s short term plans also included health cover- zeroing in emphasis on the coronavirus preparations for its frontline members serving under the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Capacity Building for SIPEU Health Care for public servants has also been drawn into its short-term goals.

“The issues raised will not and has not fallen on deaf ears and will be marked by promptness,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the issues raised are being worked on.

“Issues, warranting the attention of the Ministry of Finance or the Central Bank of Solomon Islands or other Government Ministries will take on due and diligent processes. At some point, the Government must do away with what’s called the Non Established Workers” he said.

The Prime Minister has also acknowledged the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and other supporting ministries for “being on top of the Coronavirus safeguard”. The quarantine facilities erected at the Honiara International Airport also gained the Prime Minister’s adulation.