Veteran soldiers belonging to the Fiji Peacekeeping Veterans Group feel the State isn’t doing enough for them.

The organization has raised this as one of its concerns with the Constitution Commission.

The group says – during Fiji’s participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) 37 peacekeepers lost their lives – the highest count for any troop-contributing country – yet their families are still crying for better compensation.

They say for 25 years – the State was alleged to have pocketed a large portion of their allowances which is now the subject of a case in the High Court.

The group says the State and the Fiji Military Forces must be seen to be honest in their dealings when considering the welfare of these servicemen and their loved ones in years to come.

They say the annual poppy appeal is another example where not enough is done for the ex-servicemen – as they have to continuously appeal to the public to support them financially because their monthly pension is not enough.

The group told the Commission that if the State really cares for its ex-servicemen – monetary rewards for their services should be sufficient.

They say from 1987 until today – peacekeeping remittance is a huge contributor to the Fijian economy.

Meanwhile – the group says the Fiji Military must never be disbanded.

They say Fiji must always have a constitutionally prescribed and name security force comprising of the police, army and navy.