The Fijian Civil Service has officially implemented a newly revised Civil Service Workplace Health and Wellness Policy, designed to foster healthier, safer, and more supportive work environments throughout the various government ministries and departments. This update, a rework of the original policy introduced in 2011, has been refreshed as of December 2025, establishing a comprehensive framework that tackles physical, mental, social, and occupational wellbeing within the public service sector.
The updated policy mandates that all civil service stakeholders comply with its guidelines, requiring ministries and departments to either synchronize their internal health policies with this new national framework or adopt it fully. To guarantee adherence, Permanent Secretaries will oversee compliance supported by Occupational Health and Safety Committees, which will function as Healthy Workplace Committees.
This initiative is rooted in a regional program backed by the World Health Organization, focusing on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) while expanding its reach across the entire civil service. Central to this policy is a structured “healthy workplace approach,” which encompasses staff engagement, baseline health assessments, strategic planning, implementation, and ongoing evaluation.
Among the significant measures introduced are mandatory annual health screenings, the establishment of Wellness Wednesdays to promote physical activity, the enforcement of tobacco-free environments, and restrictions on the use of yaqona, alcohol, and illicit substances in government workplaces, except for limited cultural exceptions. Additionally, the framework strongly emphasizes mental health, stress management, and nutritional health, requiring that all government-funded events adhere to national healthy catering standards.
Furthermore, ministries are called to provide facilities for breastfeeding and promote awareness of calorie intake among their employees. The responsibility for integrating this policy into everyday operations falls to Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments, while management is expected to embody the principles of the policy in their leadership.
The policy also includes environmental and social responsibility measures, aiming to ensure safe, accessible workspaces, preparedness for disasters, flexible working conditions, and engagement in community outreach. Regular reviews will be conducted every two years, overseen by the Ministry of Civil Service, with reports submitted to the Public Service Commission.
This comprehensive approach indicates a positive step toward improving the health and wellbeing of civil servants in Fiji, promoting a work culture that prioritizes wellness and support for all employees.
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