MPs warn health bill could burden informal settlement residents

Thousands of residents living in informal settlements across Fiji could face penalties under the proposed Public Health Amendment Bill 2026 despite lacking access to basic infrastructure such as sewerage and drainage systems.

The concerns were raised by Opposition MPs Viam Pillay and Parveen Bala during a Standing Committee on Social Affairs hearing yesterday, where the Suva City Council (SCC)made submissions on the bill.

Informal settlements are communities established on land without legal tenure and often lack access to essential services, including water, sewerage and drainage.

Mr Pillay said it would be unfair to impose significant penalties on families who did not have the infrastructure needed to comply with public health requirements.

"You see thousands of families without this infrastructure, and you see these laws coming in place with thousands of dollars in penalties," he said.

Mr Bala echoed those concerns, noting that houses in many informal settlements were built only one to two metres apart and often lacked sewer connections, yet the bill would grant health officers enforcement powers.

"Let's not do something that will give or create hardship for our people," he said.

SCC chairman and acting chief executive officer Tevita Boseiwaqa agreed that public awareness should come first and said enforcement needed to be accompanied by community engagement and support.

National WASH coordinator Toga Vosataki clarified that the bill would not allow health officers to immediately impose fines.

Instead, compliance notices would be issued first, giving residents seven, 14 or 21 days to comply, depending on the work required.

He also highlighted the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) project, which is currently installing wastewater systems in 12 informal settlements between the Lami and Nausori corridor.

Pillay urged the committee to visit informal settlements as part of its review process.

"We also need to go down and hear from the settlements," he said. "I know they are not prepared."

Feedback: kaneta.naimatau@fijisun.com.fj