Government has decided to further incentivize doctors in the public service particularly those serving in sub-divisional and district Hospitals and rural Health centers.
Prime Minister and Minister for the Public Service, Commodore Voreqe Bainamarama said due to the nature of the work involved, it has been agreed that an additional incentive be provided to eligible doctors and in this case there will be free housing for those respective doctors.
Under the revised criteria for Government Housing, the following shall apply;
· Officer who does not own a property in the location that he currently works;
· Officer was not initially appointed from the district that he currently resides in;
· Officer did not request for own transfer;
· Transferred officer to live within the station he is being transferred to;
· Single officers eligible for quarters irrespective of post to share quarters;
· Essential services and rural postings to be given priority when allocating quarters;
· Quarters grade to be allocated according to level and seniority of officers;
· Government rented quarters should be equivalent to the level of government quarters suitable to the officer;
· Those entitled for housing allowance as part of their employment contract can be accommodated in government quarters if available but will not receive any portion of the housing allowance as direct payments; and
· Expatriate volunteer officers will have their 8 per cent contribution met be receiving Ministries/Departments and Agencies.
The following officers eligible for government quarters at subsidized rate of 8 per cent of basic salary:
· Medical personnel appointed on expatriate contract;
· Engineers on expatriate contract;
· Others on expatriate contract;
· Expatriate volunteer officers;
· Divisional Commissioners;
· Director Dismac;
· Director Government Shipping Services
· Director Animal Health and Production;
· Director of Meteorological Services;
· Director Lands;
· Director Mineral Resources;
· Medical Superintendent-Divisional Hospitals;
· Commissioner of Police;
· Commissioner of Prisons;
· Director Public Prosecutions;
· Magistrates;
· Judges;
· Permanent Secretaries;
· Official Secretary to the President;
· Divisional Engineers and Road Supervisors, Ministry of Works;
· Solicitor General;
· Supervisor of Elections
· Chairman NLC;
· Principals of Government schools and teachers where student boarding facilities are available;
· The Matron and Supervisor at Mental Hospital and other specialist hospitals;
· Subordinate officers of the Fiji Police and Prisons Officers Classes A, B and C;
· Landscape Officer, Chief Cook, Stewards, Lady’s maid President’s House;
· Superintendents’ of Old People’s Home at Natabua, Samabula and Labasa;
· Doctors and Nurses working in sub-divisional hospitals, rural health centers and nursing stations;
· Meteorological Officers, and
· District Officers, Provincial Administrators, Divisional Planning Officers and Senior Planning officers based in districts.
“With regards to doctors working on sub-divisional hospitals, rural health centers and nursing stations, there will be provision for free housing, with either 8 per cent contribution towards housing added to their basic salary or free housing provided,” said Commodore Bainimarama.
The appropriate provisions in this regard will be discussed and put in place following consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Health.