The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) has sacked two staff members for allowing terminated staff members to continue being paid.

Executive Chair Xavier Riyaz Khan says that apart from internal disciplinary measures they will report the matter to the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption.

Khan has revealed that the 2 terminated staff manipulated records to allow employees with expired contracts to continue to receive payment from BAF.

There were also serious continuing failures to perform normal payroll functions, this has led to improper accounting of employee leave and improper withholding of retirement and tax contributions.

Khan also confirms one of the key responsibilities of the terminated staff was pay adjustments and vetting but through their actions, Fiji National Provident Fund payments and taxes were on numerous occasions incorrectly deducted and paid to the respective Authorities.

Staff leave records were also incorrect, many showing under or over utilisation of leave.

The Executive Chair says the BAF officers failed to adhere to verbal and written directives and then compounded this by breaching internal policies and making false statements and producing false documentation.

Khan says the BAF Board requires transparency, fairness and compliance with Fijian law and international best practices and standards.

He also says the Board has brought in the Auditor General’s Office and external auditors to look at the Authority’s books.