The unemployment rate in Fiji dropped by 7.1 per cent during the period 2010 to 2011 and by 5.5 per cent over 2015 to 2016.

Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relation Jone Usamate revealed this at a Fiji Symposium on Asbestos at the Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour yesterday.

Mr Usamate said the Fijian Government was ready to deliver the newly released five-year and 20-year National Development Plan, which will require stakeholders to work together. 

“We have continued to enjoy consecutive years of economic growth and our unemployment rate has dropped from 7.1 per cent in 2010-2011 to 5.5 per cent in 2015-2016,” Mr Usamate said.      

“Fiji’s economic growth and viability also depends on a healthy, productive, skilled and competent workforce.

“The health and usefullness of the working population is therefore important because all our products and services are generated through physical or mental work input, irrespective of the level of technology used.”

When acknowledging the continued support of our international stakeholders such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and World Health Organisation (WHO). 

Mr Usamate said the Government has forged a more-closer working relationship following the launching of Fiji’s “first-ever” Occupational Health and Safety, and Occupational Health Services Profile at this year’s World OHS Day.   

“A working group or committee consisting of WHO and ILO personnel together with staff from the training institutions, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and staff from my ministry had worked tirelessly to ensure that Fiji’s National OHS Profile was launched within the timeframe I had initially requested,” Mr Usamate said.

“This National OHS Profile was then presented to the tripartite National Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Board at its sitting in July for endorsement.”

The board not only endorsed the recommendations, but also appointed the tripartite representatives to this committee

He said the National OHS Profile launch has provided a snapshot on Fiji in terms of the occupational safety and occupational health status and the opportunities to overcome our challenges as a developing nation.

Mr Usamate added that the profile also highlighted recommendations for Fiji to work towards fulfilling challenges identified.

The advisory committee on Fiji’s National OHS Profile will discuss ways on how to develop strategies towards fulfilling the profile recommendations over the next two days.

Edited by Percy Kean   

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