FNA Urges Govt to Remove 12-Hour Shift for Nurses

Source: Fiji Sun

Fiji Nursing Association (FNA) president Dr Alisi Vudiabola is calling on Government to remove the 12 -hour shift introduced for nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Dr Vudiniabola said the 12-hour shift has several prerequisites that an employer must meet before it was to be instituted.

"That includes providing a rest place, provision of an hour break, meals, and refreshments provided; that hasn't happened since COVID- 19," Dr Vudiniabola said.

"We (FNA) had to step in to supply some of those things but then you know after a while the 12-hour shift become a norm."

"We are calling for Government to put a stop to it because it's inhuman and nurses are not getting enough rest, they don't have enough quality time with their families either."

She said the 12-hour shift was a cheaper alternative to nurses who have taken a long time to train and get experience to be able to deliver quality and safe medical services.

"Nurses can do eight-hour shifts and if they are short that would not allow them to do an 8-hour shift in 24 hours; that then gives Government an opportunity to bring in nurses to work.

"Not just using the shortage as an excuse for a 12-hour shift because nurses are really getting stressed out from the 12-hour shift."

Meanwhile, the salary adjustments announced by the Minister of Health at the AGM, has been described as a lifesaver for nurses.

Stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, FNA, and the support from the Ministry of Civil Services, Ministry of Employment and Workplace Relations, and the Ministry of Finance have been holding consultations.

Dr Vudiniabola said the association felt lucky that Government managed to secure payment for its members.

"It's going to at least settle some of our disputes in some of the claims that we've been trying to get from Government. Members will now be properly remunerated as some of them are sitting in a wrong band."

Minister for Health Dr Antonio Lalabalavu said they had been in negotiation for adjustments in nurses' salaries since the signing of the Mediated Agreement between FNA and the Ministry in February..

"The Ministry of Finance has approved the proposed adjustment in salary steps according to years of experience.

"This will be implemented for nurses in Band F, our senior nurses in Bang G and above.

"This is a significant milestone for nurses at all levels of employment in the Ministry, and a clear signal from the Government that it values the role of nurses in Fiji in uplifting the health, social, and economic status of our communities through your passion, dedication, and skills in delivering healthcare services to the people of Fiji."

While Dr Vudiniabola said that FNA is grateful to Government for the salary adjustments, there was still a log of claims that still need to resolve.