Please include National reps in the Work Care Bill - Katonibau

Former National 7s and Flying Fijians rep and Stonewriters Director, Isake Katonibau made an emotional submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs this morning as he tries to get former, current, and future National athletes to be included in the Work Care Bill 2025.

While making his submission, Katonibau says representing Fiji on the world stage should be recognized as working for the country.

He says the missing point in the Work Care Bill is the inclusion of the National reps in it as they are giving their best for the country, laying their bodies on the line for Fiji, and most importantly, working for the country.

He adds it is unfortunate that most of these players are not recognized as workers and are not covered under the Bill if they are injured while representing the country.

Katonibau says the players are the ones getting criticized if they lose, but there is no mental support provided for these players to overcome most of these criticisms.

Standing Committee Deputy Chairperson Premila Kumar says they fully support this submission but the only thing they need to come up with is how to provide this support.

Kumar says the words that are missing from the Work Care Bill are “National reps” which they will try and amend so that it can include these National Athletes.