Assistant Minister for Agriculture Inosi Kuridrani has urged the government to urgently introduce comprehensive insurance coverage for staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, highlighting the risks faced by frontline workers.
Speaking in Parliament last Friday, he said ministry personnel often work in high-risk environments, including exposure to zoonotic diseases like tuberculosis during cattle testing, and dangerous travel conditions by road and sea.
“Our staff remain uninsured, leaving their families vulnerable in times of crisis,” he said.
“It is both a moral and operational imperative that we safeguard those who serve the nation.”
Mr Kuridrani said the absence of insurance was not just a policy gap but a failure of principle and called for urgent action to put protection mechanisms in place.
He also acknowledged the dedication of ministry staff who regularly work beyond normal hours to ensure timely delivery of essential services, despite the lack of a current budget allocation for overtime.
“These individuals often sacrifice personal time to uphold ministry standards. It is only fair that we recognise their efforts by paying overdue overtime allowances,” he said.
Mr Kuridrani added that compensating staff appropriately would not only honour their contributions but also promote a culture of accountability and motivation across the ministry.
