PMW ID
7450
PAPE'ETE (Radio NZ International/Pacific Media Watch): A French Polynesian politician has challenged President Oscar Temaru over his suggestion to halve the pay of public servants as his administration is in the grip of a financial crisis.
The proposal also threatens some local media, Radio NZ International reports.
Sandra Levy-Agami, who is an independent assembly member, has issued a statement, saying nobody in the administration earns more than US$12,000 a month as Temaru has claimed.
She says discussions about the size and funding of the public service should not be used to stir up things.
Speaking at a public service conference in Tahiti this week, Temaru revealed that he had advised his government that about US$180 million a year could be saved if salaries were cut by half.
He says some public servants enjoy phenomenal salaries while the people have nothing.
The week-long conference follows a French report that calls for major cuts, including the closure of the Tourism Office, Tahitipresse and Tahiti Nui TV.
Pacific Media Watch
PMC's media monitoring service