More than 200 oral health workers and more than 500 allied health practitioners are presently facing long-standing salary discrepancies.
Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu says the Coalition Government has acknowledged the existing salary discrepancies affecting healthcare workers employed by the ministry and that it had remained uncorrected for many years.
“The ministry recognises the importance of addressing these salary discrepancies for healthcare workers including the oral health professionals and allied health professionals employed by the ministry, and is committed to this process,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
“It is an ongoing process and does takes time and effort, and require wide consultation with stakeholders including central government agencies.”
He outlined the steps already taken to begin addressing salary discrepancies, which involves the process by focusing on the nursing cadre and Medical Imaging Technologists.
These initial steps, according to Dr Lalabalavu, were endorsed by the Government and have laid the groundwork for further action.
“The ministry will continue with this process to ensure that the salary issues of its workers are appropriately addressed,” he said.
Opposition MP, Penioni Ravunawa expressed appreciation for the Government’s efforts to rectify salary issues for nurses but highlighted concerns about the lack of similar progress for other health workers.
“While we appreciate the attempt by the Coalition Government to rectify the issue with our nurses, it is concerning to know that the same has not happened to other health workers in the public sector,” said Mr Ravunawa.
He then pressed Dr Lalabalavu for a timeline for these changes, asking, “Can the minister project a timeline for these changes to happen?”
In response, Dr Lalabalavu emphasised the complexity and ongoing nature of the process, which involves extensive consultations with relevant agencies.
“It is a process where we do consultations with relevant agencies,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
“It is a process whereby the ministry, together with our stakeholders, will have to look into, so that we can properly remunerate our healthcare workers. For the time being, it is just about taking care of our long-serving staff to ensure they are well remunerated for their long years of service.
“Today we are discussing with our allied healthcare workers; they will forward their own submissions, and the ministry will sit down and discuss with them,” he assured.
