Parents Can Claim For School Injury
Parents can now claim compensation for their children if they have been injured in school.
This is after the Workmen’s Compensation (Repeal) Bill 2018 was passed in Parliament yesterday. This will allow for the extension of the no fault compensation scheme to accidents occurring on any school premises.
Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the 1964 Act was based on archaic systems, which delayed compensation payment and only a few had access to compensation.
Through the changes, he added, the no fault compensation would be extended to school premises.
“I want to reiterate that the compensation commission in Fiji will now cover students injured in schools and families will be able to benefit from it too,” he said.
“Sometimes children run around with pens and they end up poking another student’s eyes or students get beaten up in school they end up getting heavily injured, they will get compensated.
“This will provide relief for families and we will be able to collect data on school yard injuries and see schools that are more notorious and bring out measures.”
The Bill also makes consequential amendments to various other laws to ensure a comprehensive and effective transition to the no fault compensation scheme for accidents arising out of and in the course of employment. Edited by Percy Kean
