Ensuring that workers in the country have access to fundamental social justice principles and rights at any workplace is a key focus for the Ministry of Labour.
Head of the labour ministry, Minister Jone Usamate pointed this out while opening a two day workshop on “Phase two of Evaluation of Permanent impairment” held in Suva today.
“In Fiji we have a system under the Ministry of Labour called the workman’s compensation which means if you are working in a company and you get injured or you die from work related accidents then the employer has to pay you compensation”, the Minister said.
The minister used as an example to highlight this point.
“If person’s leg is injured at workplace then the doctor will then make his own assessment if the person has lost 10 percent of his leg and according to the assessment than formula then they will be able to work out the amount”.
He said that workshops like this will create a platform for doctors to compile a guide to ensure that assessments are accurate, efficient and effective.
Doctor Dwight Dowda a Consultant occupational Medicine specialists from New South Wales, Australia said this workshop will assist medical practitioners to make informed decision on how to assess the level impairment of persons injured in the workplace.
MINFO