Country will go broke if they agree to nurses demands-Interim PM

As cabinet meets this hour to discuss the nurses strike and the threat of the FICTU union members walking out on Thursday, Interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama said the country will go broke if they agree to the nurses' demands.

Commodore Bainimarama said the industrial action which the nurses have taken, as well as others who are contemplating to take such action, are only setting Fiji back.

While releasing the details of the offer he made to the nurses last week, which was rejected by the FNA, Bainimarama hopes that it is still not too late in the day for the striking nurses to return to work.

The Interim PM said the nurses have already lost a week's wages and stand to lose much more if they continue with their strike.

In the proposed Memorandum of Agreement forwarded by Bainimarama to Fiji Nursing Association General Secretary, Kuini Lutua, it is stated that the 1 percent pay cut restoration would be done in December with the remaining 4 percent subject to further discussion before the next budget.

The proposed agreement also states that the retirement age shall be left for a solution through the courts while the Partnership Agreement would not be withdrawn, but deferred to a later date.

The Interim PM also proposed that a task force be set up to be chaired by him and comprise of officers from the PM's Office, PSC, Health Ministry and the FNA. This task force is to review and recommend to the interim administration for an improvement of the salaries of nurses, midwives, nurse practitioners and medical orderlies. It will also revise the National Nursing Structure and establish 60 positions that would be able to deliver the core nursing services both in Primary and Curative nursing care.

Commodore Bainimarama said the interim government made a genuine and realistic offer to the striking nurses, taking into account the interest of the people and the country at large.

He said he is prepared to meet the FNA only if they understand the interim administration's point of view, which is related to the status of government finances and the economy.