THE Accident Compensation Commission (ACCF) will expand its role to include workers compensation as of January 1, 2019.
This was reflected in the commission’s operating grant increase of $700,000 to $1.7m allocated in the 2018/2019 National Budget announced last night.
The Commission currently independently administers a no-fault compensation scheme for all motor vehicle accidents.
The scheme provides victims of motor vehicle accidents with the option of either receiving compensation or pursuing their claims through legal proceedings.
The expansion of the commission’s role has also seen a decrease in the budget allocation of the Workmen’s Compensation Program under the Employment Ministry in the 2018/2019 financial year.
The program ensures that compensation is paid out to workers employed by Government who have suffered temporary or permanent job-related injuries.
The ACCF will also cover schoolyard injuries.
Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum announced that an accident compensation fund had been set aside for students who get hurt in school.
About ACCF
The ACCF was established as a body corporate under the Accident Compensation Act 2017 (‘Act’), to make provisions for compensation in respect of persons who suffer personal injury or death as a result of a motor vehicle accident in Fiji. The Act and the new ‘no-fault compensation’ scheme will apply to motor vehicle accidents in Fiji occurring on or after January 1, 2018.
