FIJI Trades Union Congress (FTUC) national executive board member and National Union of Hospitality Catering and Tourism Industries Employees general secretary, Daniel Urai has requested the FNPF 2011 Act review committee to consider an insurance scheme for members.
Speaking at the public consultations in Lautoka last Friday, Mr Urai said most workers in Fiji could not afford to pay life or medical insurance for their family.
“I note a point on discussion was the insurance of members,” he said.
“I would like to request that the committee look at that opportunity.
“Because most of the workers in this country cannot afford to pay for life or medical insurance for their family.
“But this is one forum that FNPF needs to see how it could assist its members by taking payments from the annual contribution to cover insurance for medical and their families.
“The majority of the workers are earning money that they cannot afford insurance.
“The Government can’t afford to pay that, but if you could amend the Act within the FNPF to ensure that members could take out a certain amount.
“In that way, we can provide our own workers who cannot afford to pay for insurance for their families.
“I request that you could put them as one of your recommendations as an amendment in the Act, whether there is an insurance scheme covering the workers from their own contributions.”
In response, FNPF board director Sikeli Tuinamuana acknowledged the recommendations from Mr Urai.
“For the purpose of today, we will include that as one of the submissions,” Mr Tuinamuana said.