New Caledonia's newspaper reports that the assistants of three government ministers have been sacked and their badges to move around the administration offices voided.
New Caledonia President Philippe Germain Photo: THEO ROUBY / AFP
This comes amid an ongoing row within the anti-independence camp, which has prompted for legal action to be taken within government ranks.
The paper says an order to dismiss the three ministers' staff was issued by the new president, Philippe Germain, early last month but only delivered this week.
It says the implication is that those who were paid at the end of April have to reimburse the money.
Those who have been dismissed have been asked to clear their offices on Monday.
Among the three ministers affected is Mr Germain's predecessor as president, Cynthia Ligeard.
Under the provisions of the Noumea Accord, parties are represented in government according to their strength in the territory's Congress.
