THERE is no worker representation on the work care board, says Communications, Mining and General Workers union representative Aisake Rabuli.
He told the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs on the Consideration of Bill No. 7 of 2025 Work Care Bill in Suva on Wednesday that while the board was responsible for governance of the compensation scheme, there was no requirement for trade union or injured worker representation.
“This limits transparency and fails to give workers a voice in decisions that directly affect their welfare,” Mr Rabuli said.
Committee member and Opposition MP Semi Koroilavesau said the Bill would allow the appointment of a worker board member.
“These are recommendations for three members from the workers organisation, three members from the employers and three members that are representative of the Government,” Mr Koroilavesau said.
“That will also include the unions, so that is being taken care of.”
Meanwhile, committee deputy chairperson Premila Kumar questioned the amount of people appointed to the board.
“I fail to understand why we need such a big board,” she said.
“It’s a simple compensation process that worked very efficiently with the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji (ACCF), and now we’ve got a very big board, and it’s a cost associated with any board.
“Do you see the need to have this board; if we had a smaller number of people on ACCF, compensation was still being paid. “So why do we suddenly need a very big board?
In response, Mr Rabuli said it would create constructive dialogue and discussions with the members if there were more people appointed to the board.
“It will create a clearer path into how we want the Work Care Bill to be going towards its direction.”
