6192 Fijians Sent To Aust, NZ Through The Pacific Labour Scheme Since 2015

A total number of 6192 Fijians have joined the seasonal workers programme in both Australia and New Zealand since 2015.

This was the revelation made by Ministry of Employment, Pro­ductivity and Industrial Relations Permanent Secretary Osea Cawaru while farewelling 165 Fijians who would leave the country next month for Australia to work under the Pa­cific Labour Mobility Scheme.

Mr Cawaru said Fiji joined the Seasonal workers programme in 2015 and later joined the Pacific La­bour Scheme in 2019.

“We joined late compared to other pacific island countries and for us, reaching this figure is a milestone for Fiji,” he said.

“So, this morning, I want to tell you to keep up the good work so that the number of Fijians joining you keeps multiplying.

“With the number of workers working in Australia and New Zea­land, it has seen remittances sent to families and relatives back home resulting in improvements in living standards, the building of homes and other obligations being met, which highly contributes to the Fi­jian economy.”

Clarification on recruitment

PS Cawaru also clarified that the recruitment process for Fijians un­der the scheme was done on a first in, first out basis.

“As we speak the team at the NEC office are currently processing those that have registered since January and February 2021,” he said.

“Some have the expectation that if they apply this month, they will leave next month. It doesn’t work that way.”

He said it was important to know that the ministry does not pick those that get to go, instead, it was a decision made by the employers.

“You need to have a proper and complete CV. It cannot be done any­how.

“This one document is the most important of all and de­termines the choice that your employer will make.”

Edited by Jeremiah Ligairi

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