Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697753497088.pdf (Fiji)
Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing Honourable Mr. Inia Batikoto SERUIRATU ______________________________________________________________________ RESPONSE TO WRITTEN QUESTION 19/2021 BY THE HON.

LENORA QEREQERETABUA Can the Minister inform Parliament how many personnel beyond the retirement age prescribed by the laws pertaining to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces are being actively employed?

____________________________________________________ BACKGROUND 1.
During the last Parliamentary Sitting on Monday 8th February, 2021 Opposition Member of Parliament Hon Lenora Qereqeretabua asked the Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Hon Inia SERUIRATU for the number of personnel beyond retirement age, prescribed by the laws pertaining to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces are being actively employed.

2.

Reasons for brief.

This brief is written to provide Honourable Lenora Qereqeretabua a response to her question in Parliament.

3.
3.

Scope of brief.

This brief will explain in detail the number of RFMF personnel beyond retirement age that are actively employed.

4.

Currently, in the RFMF, there is a total of 65 personnel who are actively employed beyond the retirement age as prescribed under the laws of the RFMF.

Of these 65 personnel, 21 are Officers, while 44 are Senior Non-commissioned Officers.
All personnel have been retained for the specialist skills that they have and are also involved in the training and handing over of responsibilities to their future replacements.

Furthermore, these 65 personnel are distributed amongst all Units of the RFMF.

5.

For example, in 2010, the Hydrographic Unit was transferred from the Government Shipping Services to the Fiji Navy and started off with 9 personnel, 2 of which were officers.
Currently, the unit has a total of 46 personnel, 6 of which are officers and Page 1 of 2 two new naval ships.

The personnel over retirement age are currently involved in the training and leading of surveys to the new personnel so that the unit will continue to produce navigational charts of international standards.

6.

Senior Non-Commission Officers retained beyond retiring age are mostly project based and ensure the continuation of projects, for example Engineers rural construction.
These personnel do not go for Tours of Duties (TOD) to the United Nations nor attend courses, as their time within the RFMF is solely directed on these projects.

7.

Officers retained beyond retiring age are in command positions, and have been retained to ensure that upcoming Officers are able to attend course or be seconded for overseas posting as part of their capability development and training.
CONCLUSION The retention of personnel in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces who are actively employed beyond the retirement age has served to ensure that the productivity and outputs of the RFMF remain high.

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