The Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, has urged civil servants and staff at the Accident Compensation Commission of Fiji (ACCF) to adopt a more supportive and accommodating stance towards the public, especially individuals impacted by workplace, school, or motor vehicle accidents. In his recent address, Turaga highlighted that many people find the compensation process daunting due to a lack of guidance and support.
He called on employers to fulfill their obligations in ensuring that workers receive the compensation and assistance they deserve. Expressing concern over systemic delays that complicate the claims process, Turaga noted, “When these accidents happen, they do not know what to do. When they come to the offices, they just don’t know what to tell.”
The Minister’s focus on raising public awareness of available services aligns with recent initiatives by the Ministry of Employment, which has resolved over half of the compensation cases under its new responsibilities taken from the ACCF last year. To date, the Ministry has settled 558 cases and estimates it has saved $1.2 million annually compared to previous management costs.
This proactive approach aims to address a substantial backlog of cases while enhancing the efficiency of the compensation system. Furthermore, the government has allocated a $6 million budget to support the no-fault compensation scheme, a crucial investment for assisting individuals affected by accidents.
As the government works to streamline processes and delineate responsibilities, there is a hopeful outlook for a more responsive compensation framework. Improved awareness and processing capabilities offer a promising avenue for better supporting victims and ensuring timely assistance. The ongoing dialogues between various stakeholders suggest a potential for beneficial reforms in the compensation landscape for both employees and employers, paving the way for a more equitable system.
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