Tonga's Remuneration Authority says it doesn't agree with the application of the new Cost of Living Allowance for civil servants.
The five percent wage lift was approved by cabinet last month, and payments will be made before the 22nd of December.
But Radio Tonga reports the authority saying public servants' current salaries are adequate given each position's responsibility and job size.
It says it would rather a new structure that advocates moving towards more relevant indicators of responsibility and performance to drive pay increases.