National Health Insurance Scheme, scholarships to assist more financially disadvantaged students and increased funding for iTaukei land development announced in FLP manifesto

National Health Insurance Scheme, scholarships to assist more financially disadvantaged students and increased funding for iTaukei land development announced in FLP manifesto

By Rusiate Baleilevuka , Cooper Williams
Thursday 17/11/2022
Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry

A new National Health Insurance Scheme, scholarships to assist more financially disadvantaged students, a Violence Never Campaign and increased funding for iTaukei land development are some policies that have been announced today in the Fiji Labour Party 2022 manifesto.

While speaking at the event, Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry says Fijians have been sad for the last 16 years.

Chaudhry adds that some people have told him that it has been stressful living in Fiji and that many people are dying young because they cannot take stress or there is fear in their hearts.

Chaudhry says a Fiji Labour Party government will introduce a National Health Insurance Scheme which is similar to Australia’s Medicare. This will be developed to improve health care and make it accessible to all Fijians.

He adds that they will also increase salaries and allowances of health workers to retain them in Fiji, upgrade all health care facilities and improve equipment, review gaps in age care and mental health and embark on a vigorous and holistic campaign to fight Non Communicable Diseases.

The former Prime Minister says with Education, a Labour government will reduce TELS by 50 percent for those who complete courses in the prescribed term and this will be back dated for all outstanding TELS accounts.

Chaudhry says that all Toppers Scholarships will be supplemented for those financially and geographically disadvantaged and for overseas post graduate studies. He adds that they will reinstate the USP grant and review fees charged by tertiary institutions as a condition of their grant.

Chaudhry also announced several civil service reforms including the restoration of permanent employment for all established civil service positions and abolishing short term contracts.

He adds that expatriates will be replaced by locals in senior executive positions. He says that they will provide appeal rights on promotions, transfers and disciplinary penalties and restore the age of retirement to 60.

Strategies to empower women were also announced including the set up of domestic violence and child exploitation task force and launching a ‘Violence Never’ campaign in the media and on the ground.

Chaudhry adds the Labour Party will increase support for single parents and provide government funded community awareness programmes against exploitation, trafficking and domestic violence.

He says Labour will strive to increase the economic empowerment of women through affordable credit and government guarantees for women in productive areas of the economy. He adds that they will provide education and training on financial and business management through government programs.

The former Prime Minister also discussed increasing funding for indigenous land development and the iTaukei Institute of Language and Culture, increasing the maximum annual rental of agricultural land to 10% of the UCV to better reflect the value of the land with a negotiated 50 years minimum lease term and the government will pay the 4% difference in the case of local farmers.

Chaudhry adds land utilisation needs to be sustainable and productive and follow traditional values of respect for mother nature.

2022-2023 Budget Coverage



-->
FEATURE NEWS
FWRM calls for more time on Constitution amendments to ensure inclusivity and trust
The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement is calling on the government to give more time for consultations regarding amendments to the 2013 Constitution as a...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
'Captain America: Brave New World' raked in USD$40 million in opening day
Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” can claim the biggest opening weekend so far this year after raking in USD$40 million across Friday ...
1 hour ago

Hundreds gather for Thaipusam Puja at Nadi Temple
Hundreds gathered at the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi to take part in the annual Thaipusam Thirunaal Puja to worship Lord Murugan, the ...
2 hours ago

Tikina Nasigatoka opposes future dredging of the Sigatoka River due to its impact
The tikina Nasigatoka, which includes 7 villages and settlements in Nadroga-Navosa, has unanimously agreed to oppose any future dredging of the ...
2 hours ago

3 arrested for alleged meth possession in Saweni
Three people have been arrested for an alleged case of unlawful possession of methamphetamine in Saweni, Lautoka this morning. Police say officers ...
2 hours ago

At least 15 killed in New Delhi station crush
A crush at New Delhi Railway Station has left at least 15 people dead and 10 injured. Dr Ritu Saxena, deputy medical superintendent of Lok Nayak ...
5 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
World Radio Day
Radio remains one of the best mediums for news and information for a number of reasons and in situations such as natural disasters and political ...
3 days ago

Health Minister Dr Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Health Minister, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
11 days ago

PM Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan. The in-depth interview will focus on many issues facing the ...
15 days ago

TOP