The Government is set to save $1.8 million in fees as compensation cases are returned to the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations. Minister Agni Deo Singh announced this while discussing workers’ compensation, which has received a $6 million allocation for the “no-fault compensation scheme.” This scheme addresses employment and school accident cases.
Minister Singh explained that, as of June 1 this year, the ministry resumed processing cases from Veritas Ltd following a decision by the interim Accident Compensation Commission Fiji (ACCF) board. Veritas Ltd had managed cases for ACCF from 2019 to 2023, charging $75,000 monthly and $900,000 annually.
“Government will be able to save approximately $1.8 million annually with the transfer of the workers’ compensation functions back to the ministry,” Mr. Singh stated.
He also noted that the ministry’s mediation service successfully resolved 80 percent of employment issues over the past 18 months through good-faith dialogue. An increased allocation for the ministry’s mediation service is expected to support additional responsibilities arising from proposed amendments to employment legislation.