Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has defended the government’s recent decision to halt overtime payments for certain medical workers, attributing the change to improved staffing levels and budgetary constraints. An internal circular from the Ministry of Health announced that employees from eight departments would no longer be eligible for overtime, a benefit they have received since November of the previous year. This decision follows the recent hiring of 2024 Allied Health graduates and an increase in qualified health professionals.
Rabuka clarified that the directive originated from the Ministry of Civil Service, which he oversees, and assured that this was a necessary adjustment as workloads have realigned with the available manpower. “When it became clear that the workload was now proportional to staffing levels, we determined it was appropriate to cease after-hours staff returns,” he said, emphasizing the non-discriminatory nature of the decision.
However, this change has raised significant concerns among the Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA), which has criticized the new policy implemented through Circular 14/2024. The FPSA argues that omitting overtime compensation for Allied Health staff, while maintaining it for nursing counterparts, is discriminatory and violates the Employment Relations Act of 2007. This policy shift has reportedly strained critical healthcare services, particularly in Radiology and Pharmacy departments, leading to increased employee burnout and negatively impacting patient care as some services are redirected to private hospitals.
Judith Kotobalavu, the FPSA’s general secretary, lamented that rather than alleviating staffing shortages, the new policy exacerbates existing issues by forcing employees to take on additional responsibilities without due compensation. The FPSA has urged the Ministry of Civil Service and the Public Service Commission to reconsider these changes and ensure equitable treatment for all civil servants, thereby promoting morale and the quality of public healthcare services in Fiji.
The situation highlights the critical need for policies that balance fiscal responsibility with the welfare of public servants and the essential services they provide. The ongoing dialogue around these reforms suggests a potential path toward a resolution that could improve not only employee conditions but also the health services available to the Fijian populace. This creates an opportunity for constructive engagement aimed at fostering a more equitable work environment in the healthcare sector.
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