Some drivers and cleaners of the Health Ministry have not yet received their wages for the last payment cycle, as confirmed by Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa. The delay is attributed to the transition to a new payroll system, which has caused some employees to receive only partial payments or none at all. Ravunawa stated that they are currently addressing the issue on a case-by-case basis and that those impacted have been informed.
Finance Minister Biman Prasad clarified that the Health Ministry was allocated adequate funding for operational costs in the financial year 2024-2025, although he was unaware of the specific pay problems affecting the ministry’s employees.
Efforts to get in touch with Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu and Permanent Secretary Dr. Jemesa Tudravu for additional comments have been unsuccessful.
This situation echoes concerns raised in previous reports about payroll issues within the Health Ministry. For instance, there have been historical challenges involving overpayments due to delays in processing resignations, which led to unresolved recovery amounts. The Ministry has stated that it is implementing new measures, such as decentralizing operations, to mitigate these types of issues in the future.
In summary, while the transition to a new payroll system has led to some workers facing payment difficulties, the Health Ministry aims to resolve these concerns efficiently. This transition holds promise for improving payroll accuracy and efficiency in the long term, enhancing overall employee satisfaction and stability.
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