The Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) has raised alarms regarding the unintended consequences of Circular 14/2024, issued by the Ministry of Civil Service on October 1. This new policy significantly alters the Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) and overtime compensation structures for Band F employees, particularly affecting public healthcare workers in the Radiology and Pharmacy departments. As a result, the FPSA reports that the quality and accessibility of healthcare services for Fijians are suffering.
The revised policy excludes Allied Health staff in Band F from receiving overtime pay, a stark contrast to their nursing counterparts. Many employees have expressed their dissatisfaction, citing feelings of inequity and demoralization. The FPSA has characterized this change as discriminatory and argues that it contravenes Fiji’s Employment Relations Act of 2007.
Judith Kotobalavu, general secretary of FPSA, emphasized that these changes place an undue burden on healthcare workers already facing critical staffing shortages. Many employees are now feeling overwhelmed as they take on additional responsibilities to ensure continued service delivery. The FPSA notes that this policy has compelled the Ministry of Health to refer patients needing after-hours Radiology services to private entities, such as Oceania Private Hospital. This not only raises costs for the ministry but undermines the public health system’s integrity.
Kotobalavu critiqued the move to outsource essential services, insisting it highlights a lack of strategic planning and inadequate investment in the public healthcare workforce. She points out that such decisions waste public funds and signal an alarming retreat from supporting the essential healthcare workers who serve as the foundation of public health services.
In light of these developments, the FPSA is urging the Ministry of Civil Service and the Public Service Commission to promptly review this policy. The association is advocating for fair and transparent compensation practices for Band F employees, underscoring that vital public services should not suffer due to inequities in civil service compensation.
In a positive note, the FPSA’s proactive stance represents a dedicated effort to foster a fair working environment, which could lead to improved outcomes for public healthcare services if the ministry responds constructively. As the dialogue continues, there’s hope that collaborative solutions can be found that bolster support for those committed to serving the Fijian public.
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