The Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Jone Usamate, yesterday received a courtesy call from Pinoli Limited.

The new Zealand-based company is an employer under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Work Scheme.

Company rep Karen Juniisi is here to strengthen bilateral co-operation between the Fijian and New Zealand governments through their labour mobility scheme.

The company is known for their produce of pine nuts and is based in Marlborough. Their pine nuts produce is mainly supplied within New Zealand and exported to Europe.

Mr Usamate said the employer began recruiting Fijians in 2016 and is here again for more employment opportunities in New Zealand.

“Pinoli Limited recruited six (6) workers last year respectively from the Western and Central divisions to engage in planting, harvesting and pruning and they are now planning to recruit eight (8) more workers this year,” Mr Usamate said.

Ms Juniisi said the recruitment of Fijians to work for Pinoli Limited resulted from the good performance of a former Fijian Forestry worker who was not part of the current employment creation initiative by Government.

She said Fijian workers were strong and committed to their work and this was evident through their performance.

“The six Fijian workers performed three days’ work of other workers from outside Fiji in a day, which is very remarkable to the company,” she said.

The Fijian workers are paid at an hourly rate and receive about FJ$1800 on a fortnightly basis.

Ms Juniisi said it was also a great advantage for workers to have driving licence and licenses to operate other plants and machineries such as tractors, forklifts because it will open up more employment opportunities.

Mr Usamate thanked the company for their efforts and looked forward to a long and fruitful partnership between the ministry and Pinoli Limited.

Source: DEPTFO News

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