The Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) has raised serious concerns regarding the recent changes introduced by the Ministry of Civil Service through Circular 14/2024, specifically impacting the Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) and overtime compensation policies for Band F employees. Issued on October 1, this policy change is reportedly straining essential public healthcare services, particularly within Radiology and Pharmacy departments, thus affecting the quality and accessibility of healthcare for Fiji’s citizens.
Significantly, the new regulations exclude Allied Health staff in Band F from receiving overtime pay, in contrast to their nursing counterparts. This has resulted in widespread dissatisfaction among employees, who feel demoralized and treated unfairly. The FPSA has condemned this move as discriminatory, arguing that it violates the Employment Relations Act of 2007 by denying Band F employees appropriate compensation for their work.
Judith Kotobalavu, general secretary of the FPSA, stated, “The changes introduced under Circular 14/2024 are a disservice to our dedicated public servants.” Instead of addressing the persistent staffing shortages, the revised policy has exacerbated the workload on employees, leading to increased burnout as they struggle to maintain service delivery.
The repercussions of this decision extend beyond employee welfare and directly impact patient care. The Ministry of Health has had to refer after-hours Radiology patients to private facilities like Oceania Private Hospital, which not only increases costs for the ministry but also depletes public healthcare resources, further weakening the public health system.
Kotobalavu criticized the outsourcing of critical healthcare services, suggesting it reflects poor strategic planning and a lack of prioritization of investment in public healthcare. She emphasized that such actions not only waste public funds but also fail to support the healthcare workers who are integral to the community.
In response to these developments, the FPSA is urging the Ministry of Civil Service and the Public Service Commission to promptly reassess the policy. They advocate for a fair and transparent approach to overtime compensation that prevents the compromise of health services and other essential public sectors due to inequitable treatment of civil servants. Kotobalavu stressed, “The ministry needs to address its overtime budget more effectively and ensure that our public servants are properly compensated for the demanding work they do,” highlighting the need for systemic reforms.
The situation highlights the essential need for thoughtful policies that not only support public servants but also ensure the continuity and quality of essential services, fostering a robust public healthcare system in Fiji.
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