Healthcare workers at two Aspen Medical-managed hospitals in Fiji are preparing for potential industrial action as the company refuses to come to the negotiating table. The Construction, Energy, Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) filed claims earlier this year seeking improved working conditions and fair pay for their members, but have been met with silence from management.
The dispute has revealed concerning questions about the use of workers’ retirement funds. The Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) holds an 80% stake in the hospitals through a public-private partnership, yet appears to have no oversight of operations despite the government spending approximately $10 million monthly on patient services. FTUC General Secretary Felix Anthony is calling for full transparency and accountability over this investment of workers’ funds, particularly given the significant public resources involved.
