FORMER civil servants who lost their jobs under the previous government’s “no jab, no job” policy will not be automatically reinstated.
Acting Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service Samuela Moce confirmed to The Fiji Times that former civil servants who chose not to vaccinate are eligible to reapply for positions within the civil service.
“Ministries were advised that there would be no immediate reinstatement for those whose contracts were terminated for non-compliance with the policy at that time,” Mr Moce said.
He said those former civil servants would need to compete with other applicants for vacancies.
“The positions vacated by non-vaccinated officers were advertised and subsequently filled. Officers who were terminated due to non-vaccination are eligible to reapply and will be considered for recruitment in accordance with the Government’s Recruitment Guidelines. They will have to go through the normal due process so that they’re given fair and balanced consideration.”
When asked how many of the 320 affected civil servants had successfully returned to the workforce since the amendment to the Health and Safety at Work Regulations, Mr Moce said the ministry did not have the data readily available.
“We request that you give us two weeks to get through to all the ministries and collect and verify the data.”
Mr Moce also confirmed no preference would be given to former civil servants reapplying for their previous positions.
“This means there will be equal opportunity for all applicants.”
However, respective ministries were advised to amend role descriptions and recruitment processes that previously restricted employment opportunities to only those who were vaccinated.”
