Union proposes psychosocial leave for teachers

The Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) has proposed the introduction of psychosocial leave for employees.

FTU general secretary Muniappa Goundar said psychosocial leave was necessary to improve employee welfare.

He made the proposal during the World Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Day celebrations held recently in Labasa.

Psychosocial factors relate to the interaction between social conditions and an individual’s thoughts and behaviour.

Mr Goundar said workers often faced family issues and psychological stress at home and required a few days off to resolve such matters.

“Migration of workers can be seen when adequate rest or welfare is not considered. In the teaching profession, migration continues to New Zealand and Australia due to better working conditions,” he said.

He described the current work environment as fast‑paced, demanding and often unforgiving.

According to Mr Goundar, psychosocial issues often stem from toxic work environments, excessive workloads, job insecurity and a lack of supervisory support.

He said Australia had implemented a 10‑day psychosocial leave to assist workers dealing with family disputes or personal issues.

“Workers are assets, not machines to be used and discarded,” Mr Goundar said, calling for better leave provisions and rest periods to ensure employees felt valued.

He added that the ongoing debate over absenteeism, commonly referred to as Monday or Friday fever, could be addressed if employees were given adequate rest.

“Safe working environments, decent wages and fair workloads are not privileges — they are the rights of every worker,” he said.

Mr Goundar said teachers were facing workload burnout but remained committed to their profession, stressing that appropriate measures were needed to ensure their rest and wellbeing.

“Teachers are now burdened with excessive administrative work, when their priority should be teaching,” he said.

He said the proposal for psychosocial leave should be tabled in Parliament at its next sitting to ensure timely implementation for staff welfare.

Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh confirmed the proposal would be tabled in Parliament.