The Fiji Public Service Association has ramped up calls for stronger worker protections, warning that ordinary Fijians are being asked to shoulder mounting economic pressures without fair compensation. In a statement released on Friday, General Secretary Judith Kotobalavu said the union was urging the government to adopt targeted relief measures and safeguard workers’ rights as the country recovers from cyclone damage amid rising global prices.
“Workers must not be expected to absorb economic shocks without fair compensation and meaningful support,” Kotobalavu said, stressing that the combined impact of ongoing cyclone recovery and inflationary pressures has pushed up living costs and placed significant strain on households nationwide. The union argued that current policy settings risk deepening hardship for low- and middle-income earners at a time when support is most needed.
A particular focus of the FPSA’s critique is the growing use of time off in lieu (TOIL) as a substitute for overtime pay. Kotobalavu warned that TOIL should not replace monetary overtime entitlements — especially for essential service workers who have faced increased demand and pressure during recent recovery efforts. “TOIL cannot be treated as a full substitute for overtime pay for essential workers, particularly during a period of economic hardship,” she said.
The union also raised alarm over a government freeze on recruitment and capital projects, arguing these measures could slow economic recovery and limit employment opportunities for young people entering the workforce. The FPSA said halting hiring and delaying investment projects risks a slower rebound in public services and reduced labour market openings precisely when they are needed to support recovery and sustain incomes.
As immediate remedies, the FPSA is urging the government to implement fair compensation for overtime, targeted subsidies to help households manage higher living costs, and strengthened social protection for low- and middle-income earners. The association is also calling for additional support for essential service workers via allowances and greater operational flexibility, alongside policies designed to protect jobs and maintain purchasing power across the economy.
While reiterating the union’s willingness to engage with the government, Kotobalavu said any recovery strategy must be guided by fairness and inclusivity. “In times of crisis, shared sacrifice must not translate into unequal hardship,” she said, framing the FPSA’s demands as necessary to ensure that recovery efforts do not disproportionately affect the most vulnerable workers.
The latest intervention from the FPSA adds pressure on policymakers as Fiji navigates post-cyclone reconstruction and global cost pressures. The union’s demands underscore tensions between fiscal restraint and social protection at a pivotal moment for households facing higher everyday costs and for workers sustaining essential public services.
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