Nurses have been working 12-hour shifts since COVID-19, says president of the Fiji Nurses Association, Dr Alisi Vudiniabola.
She made the comments at the FNA’s annual general meeting on Saturday in Suva, adding nurses have never returned to normal eight-hour shifts implemented since COVID-19.
She said they have been abused with a 12-hour shift without the necessary requirement for rest, meals, or refreshments.
The FNA is now calling for the government to stop the 12-hour shifts immediately if they are not able to meet the prerequisites for the lengthy shifts for nurses and allow members to have quality time with their families.
“Some of our members work 12-hour shifts for six straight days before a day is available for them,” says Dr Vudiniabola.
“Despite FNA’s call for the government to look after their nurses working those long shifts, no one ever listens.
“Nurses don’t have mandatory rest rooms; they do not have refreshments provided and have to fight to get meals provided in their breaks.”
Dr Vudiniabola said many are recalled on their “precious” day off because of the unavailability of nurses, and when they claim overtime pay, they are made to justify the reason why they had to do overtime.
She said nurses have stretched beyond care and beyond reason, and no number of excuses would ever justify the harsh treatment of FNA members and the stressful environment they work hard in to take care of people.
