State sector job layoffs inevitable-Tongia

Democratic Party President Makiuti Tongia predicts that jobs will go in the public service over the next six months in a bid to cut costs.
The prediction came in his response on Monday 5 April to questions by Radio Cook Islands on the disqualification of Ministers Heather, Piho, Wigmore and Eggelton from the Democratic Party. Tongia said:
“Government is forced to borrow money from other committed funds like the public sector. Word on the street from laid off government workers is that, more public servants will be laid off in three stages over the next six months period. First to go will be;
i. those 55 years and over,
ii. followed by those who have served over 35 years of their 40 year service,
iii. followed by those with only less than two years service,
iv. and finally middle management over $30k and HOMs over $70k.
The process has already begun, and sadly the exodus of our laid off government workers to New Zealand and Australia has begun as well.
But thank you to the political appointees of this government who wrote me a letter on government stationery, to refrain from making comments on the radio or print media.
Fortunately, this is a democracy, unless this government of six has declared a dictatorship and suspended the rights of citizens to freedom of speech as provided in our national constitution. As a member of the public and President of the Democratic Party, I will continue to make public statements and expose this government’s unwillingness to do the right thing.
Soon the cold days and nights of the months of May to August will arrive with their biting winds and rain. Our people of Aitutaki and the northern islands affected by recent and previous cyclones will be exposed to the cold rain and wind. The children will be shivering cold and the old and inflicted will be affected by the new strains of the winter flu.
So please call Parliament Mr Prime Minister for these people’s sake and for the sake of this country. Any delay by another day and week, and by seven more months, will clearly show to our people and the whole world that you and your cabinet are far more interested in your own self-preservation than saving this country from a disgraceful government sponsored recession and bankruptcy.”

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