Up to 60 medical lab scientists in Fiji are facing delays in receiving their overdue overtime payments, despite multiple reminders sent to the Ministry of Health. Earlier this month, Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu encouraged these workers to report their unpaid dues, promising that arrangements would be made. However, Jignesh Sharma, president of the Fiji Institute of Medical Laboratory Science, stated that no such arrangements have occurred.
Sharma pointed out that numerous emails have been sent to the Health Minister, Assistant Minister, and permanent secretary, but none received responses acknowledging the issue. “We’ve followed up with the relevant authorities regarding the overtime pay for our members, yet there has been no payment made,” Dr. Sharma emphasized. He expressed frustration over the lack of communication with the ministry regarding this pressing concern.
The current situation reflects ongoing challenges in the staffing and remuneration of essential healthcare roles in Fiji. For context, the Fiji Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences has previously highlighted the need for longer-term solutions to staffing shortages and overtime compensation for health workers, particularly for Band F positions in the Ministry of Health. While recent announcements indicated a temporary approval of overtime payments effective from November 2024 for just six months, Sharma and the institute have called for a more sustainable approach that addresses the ongoing staffing crises faced by many laboratories.
Sharma reiterated that without a permanent solution to both staffing and payment issues, the healthcare system risks facing continued instability, impacting both the professionals who deliver care and the communities they serve. The emphasis on consistent communication and collaborative problem-solving is critical at this juncture.
As this situation unfolds, there is hope that the Ministry of Health will engage meaningfully with the concerns raised by lab scientists, leading to improved conditions that ensure both fair compensation and adequate staffing in medical laboratories moving forward.