Union Slams Health Policy Change

The Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) has expressed its concern over the negative effects of the Ministry of Civil Service’s recent circular, Circular 14/2024, which introduces significant changes to the Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) and overtime compensation policies for Band F employees.

Issued on October 1, the new policy is causing disruptions in essential public healthcare services, particularly in the Radiology and Pharmacy departments, leading to a decline in the quality and accessibility of healthcare for Fijians.

Policy change

Under the revised policy, Allied Health staff members in Band F are now excluded from overtime pay, unlike their counterparts in nursing roles.

This policy change has created widespread dissatisfaction, with affected employees citing feelings of demoralisation and inequity.

The FPSA described this as a clear case of discrimination against Band F employees, who are denied fair compensation for overtime work, a move the association argues is in violation of Fiji’s Employment Relations Act of 2007.

Band F has seven steps with salary range from Step 1: $22,528.74 to Step 7: $36,103.75.

“The changes introduced under Circular 14/2024 are a disservice to our dedicated public servants,” said FPSA general secretary Judith Kotobalavu.

“Rather than addressing the critical staffing shortages, this policy has placed an additional burden on the workforce, leaving many employees grappling with burnout as they take on extra duties to maintain service delivery.”

In addition to over-burdening staff members, the policy has a direct impact on patient care.

According to the FPSA, the Ministry of Health has been forced to refer patients requiring after-hours Radiology services to private facilities, such as the Oceania Private Hospital.

This not only incurs additional costs for the ministry, but deprives public healthcare facilities of essential resources, further undermining the public health system.

“The decision to outsource vital healthcare services to private providers, at the expense of our public healthcare workers, reveals a lack of strategic planning and a failure to prioritise investment in the public healthcare system,” Ms Kotobalavu said.

“This is not only an inefficient use of public funds, but it also reflects a concerning shift away from supporting the healthcare workers who are the backbone of our public health services.”

Appeal

The FPSA is calling on the Ministry of Civil Service and the Public Service Commission to immediately review and reconsider this policy.

The association is calling for a fair and transparent approach to overtime compensation for Band F employees, emphasising that healthcare services—and all essential public services—should not be compromised due to inequitable treatment of civil servants.

“Rather than turning to private sector solutions, the ministry needs to address its overtime budget more effectively and ensure that our public servants are properly compensated for the demanding work they do,” Ms Kotobalavu said.

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