Interim pay rise could end Tonga strike

Tonga's crippling six-week-old public servants strike may be over after the government temporarily granted workers huge pay rises so that negotiations can begin.

The kingdom's Princess Regent stunned strikers at their rallying point in Nuku'alofa today by leading her brother, who is the prime minister, and the entire cabinet there to announce the decision.

The strike leaders were meeting to discuss the offer, government spokesman Mateaki (Mateaki) said

Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita, who is standing in for her absent father King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, told the crowd their pay rise demands of 60-80 per cent would be granted "just for the time being", Mateaki said.

"She and the whole cabinet just walked from the cabinet room ... and informed the strikers of the decision they've just made," he said.

"It was quite a surprise for all of us."

The strikers had demanded the interim pay rise before they would participate in arbitration.

Last week a New Zealand mediation team invited by the government flew home because of the impasse.

The pay move came after the strike committee called for the cabinet's resignation and a democratically elected parliament.

Tonga's government and two-thirds of its parliament are appointed by the king.

The strike by thousands of civil servants, teachers and health workers has bought the South Pacific nation to a standstill and seen random incidents of arson and vandalism against government property.

The government and strikers' representatives were planning to meet this evening to begin the mediation process, Radio New Zealand reported.

- AAP