Lab scientists request formal meeting for unpaid overtime

The Fiji Institute of Medical Laboratory Science (FIMLS) has formally raised concerns about unpaid overtime since May 2025 for its members and is requesting a formal engagement with the Ministry of Health to resolve the issue.

The Minister for Health has asked the Institute to reveal the names of those staff who have not received their overtime pay.

Fiji Institute of Medical Laboratory Services President Jignesh Sharma says as per ministry's internal procedures, staff information cannot be shared or released without prior approval from the Permanent Secretary.

He says this makes it difficult to get information from the Ministry on who has not been receiving overtime pay as the staff revealing this information without authorization can get into trouble.

He is requesting the Health Minister to facilitate necessary approvals, instructing hospital heads, and relevant administrative teams to provide the required information.

Sharma emphasizes that proper documentation and a transparent process aligns with the existing internal protocols.

Speaking to fijivillage News, Minister for Health, Doctor Atonio Lalabalavu says they acknowledge the Fiji Institute of Medical Laboratory Services through a letter of recognition, but there is another organization under the Act that looks after the welfare of medical laboratory technologists.

He also says that the organization itself is not under the Act that represents medical laboratory technologists.

He says the Ministry only formally acknowledges FIMLS through a letter of recognition, and any formalization depends on a review of the Act.

The Minister also addressed the issue of staff lists, adding that the ministry has their records, further emphasizing that if Sharma is saying they are maintaining internal protocols, it is Sharma's responsibility to provide the ministry with the names.

While responding to Sharma's requests for a formal meeting between the Ministry and the Fiji Institute of Medical Laboratory Science to resolve this matter effectively, Lalabalavu expresses openness to a formal engagement once the organization’s status under the Act is clarified.

Dr. Lalabalavu reaffirms that overtime payments are being made and any unpaid cases need to be brought to the ministry’s attention for prompt action.