The Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) has voiced serious concerns regarding the recent Circular 14/2024 issued by the Ministry of Civil Service, which significantly alters the Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) and overtime compensation policies for Band F employees. Effective from October 1, this policy change is having detrimental effects on public healthcare services, especially in departments such as Radiology and Pharmacy, consequently affecting the quality and accessibility of healthcare for the people of Fiji.
Under the new policy, Allied Health staff members in Band F will no longer receive overtime pay, unlike their nursing colleagues, leading to widespread feelings of dissatisfaction among the affected employees. Many have expressed a sense of demoralization and inequity, feeling that this change discriminates against Band F employees by denying them just compensation for their extra hours. The FPSA claims this policy violates Fiji’s Employment Relations Act of 2007.
Judith Kotobalavu, the FPSA general secretary, highlighted that this change exacerbates existing staffing shortages, forcing employees to bear additional workloads, which can lead to burnout. As a result, the Ministry of Health has begun referring patients needing after-hours Radiology services to private institutions, like Oceania Private Hospital, which burdens the public system with added costs while diverting essential resources from public facilities.
Kotobalavu criticized the decision to outsource these essential healthcare services, calling it a reflection of poor strategic planning and a failure to invest in the public healthcare system. She emphasized that public servants, who are crucial to the health services, must be supported and fairly compensated.
In light of these developments, the FPSA is urging the Ministry of Civil Service and the Public Service Commission to urgently review and amend this policy. They are advocating for a fair and transparent system of overtime compensation for Band F employees, underscoring that essential public services must not be compromised due to inequitable treatment of civil servants. Kotobalavu concluded by encouraging the ministry to focus on optimizing its overtime budget rather than relying on private sector solutions.
This situation highlights critical issues within public service management, emphasizing the need for policies that support civil servants effectively. There is hope that the FPSA’s appeal will foster meaningful dialogue and lead to positive changes in the treatment of employees in the public sector, ultimately benefiting not only the workers themselves but also the healthcare services they provide to the community.
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