French Polynesia health workers suspend strike following agreement

Health service professionals in French Polynesia have suspended their strikes following a memorandum of understanding signed between the Federation of Interprofessional Health Services and Administration (Fissap) and the government. The agreement, signed at the Presidency, aims to establish a new work schedule to improve the recognition of both medical and non-medical health professions.

The government has committed to reviewing job frameworks for various roles, including medical secretaries, care assistants, physiotherapists, and laboratory technicians, with a goal of finalizing these works by June 30, 2027. Future discussions will also address healthcare access across the five archipelagos, patient pathways, working conditions, and financial sustainability.

While the Fissap strike has been lifted, tensions remain regarding hospital practitioners. However, following constructive meetings at the Assembly, the CSTP-FO and A Ti’a i mua unions decided to suspend their movement affecting the Centre Hospitalier de la Polynésie Française (CHPF), the Directorate of Health, and the Agency for the Regulation of Sanitary and Social Action (Arass). Unions stated they are placing their trust in elected officials to ensure these promises are reflected in the 2027 budget, noting that the movement could resume if necessary.