Nursing Body Slams Govt Pay Rise Decision
“They are now showing their true colours. They are desperate for money, and it shows. What they are doing is like a circus,” Dr Vudiniabola said.
Wednesday 29 May 2024 | 12:16
Fiji Nursing Association (FNA) president, Dr Alisi Vudiniabola, expressed disappointment that nurses are not considered important when discussing pay rise.
Dr Vudiniabola said it seemed the Coalition Government doesn’t care about the plight of nurses, and that Members of Parliament (MPs) are more concerned about their own pay.
She described the decision as ‘shocking’.
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This comes after the Parliamentary Emoluments Committee presented their report in Parliament suggesting an increase in the salary and allowance of MPs, the Speaker, and the President which was passed last Friday.
This has caused a public uproar.
“They are now showing their true colours. They are desperate for money, and it shows. What they are doing is like a circus,” Dr Vudiniabola said.
“People are already comparing them to the last Government. They compare themselves to judges, but judges are qualified and educated. The Government needs to take action before we lose all experienced nurses overseas who are willing to pay more for our nurses.”
The Fiji Nursing Association is disappointed with the Members of Parliament salary and benefit increases.
Dr Vudiniabola said the association was still focusing on the strategy to raise nurse salaries.
During the FNA annual general meeting last month, Minister for Health and Medical Services Ratu Antonio Lalabalavu confirmed that the proposed salary step adjustments based on years of experience had been approved.
However, Dr Vudiniabola highlighted that nurses have not seen much difference in their pay since the announcement.
“FNA is still trying to work out the promises. They have been making a lot of mistakes and have not been able to work out the payments for the different years of service,” Dr Vudiniabola said.
“It is disappointing to hear that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said that ‘only $8.1 million’ was the amount for the increase while nurses only want a fraction of that. We need to stop the brain drain and experienced nurses from leaving the country. The motion to pass an increase in the pay of MPs is shocking. We thought everyone was trying to build the country up.”
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