Australia, NZ should help pay for Fiji’s skills training: Minister

Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh has told his Australian and New Zealand counterparts they are poaching Fiji’s trained workers and should help pay for skills training in return.

Poaching in the workforce context means recruiting or taking skilled workers away from another country or company, often leaving gaps that are difficult to fill.

Mr Singh made his comments during the Montfort Boys’ Town graduation ceremony in Veisari on Saturday.

“Sometimes I have told my counterparts in Australia and New Zealand, whenever we met, that you are poaching our people, you are poaching our trained people, you are taking away our best,” he said.

“You should actually buy us back in some way or other, by providing assistance in training.”

Mr Singh said the post-COVID opening of borders by Australia and New Zealand had created a big exodus of Fiji’s skilled graduates, leaving major gaps in the local workforce.

Employers were now sourcing workers from the Philippines and Asia to fill positions, he said.

To address the shortage, Government has converted all tertiary loans into scholarships, writing-off more than $650 million in student debt.

Vocational Studies

Mr Singh said technical vocational colleges closed by the previous administration had been reopened across the country, including in rural areas like Bua, Taveuni and Savusavu.

He said about 60 per cent of scholarships had gone to technical and vocational training.

The apprenticeship scheme has also been revamped, with Government topping up apprentice wages from $3 to $5 an hour.

Mr Singh said a new agreement signed with Japan two weeks ago would allow Fijians to undertake training attachments for up to five years, starting next year.

“Labour mobility has always been there and will always be there,” he said.

“What we need to do is to invest more in skills development.”

Australia’s response

The Australian High Commission has reiterated that Australia continues to work closely with Fiji to support each other.

In a statement, the Commission said Fijian workers made valuable contributions in Australia, while sending home significant remittances to Fiji (on average estimated at AU$1938 – equivalent to FJ$2862.89 – sent back to Fiji by each worker per month) returning with skills that benefit Fiji.

“Australia is working closely with Fiji to support skills training, including skills needed in Fiji, through the new Pacific Australia Skills programme, and as partners in the PALM (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility) Scheme,” Australian High Commission stated.

“We are also supporting Fiji’s education and skills priorities through the Australia Awards scholarships programme, building the next generation of Fijian leaders.”

Attempts to get a comment from the New Zealand High Commission were unsuccessful before this edition went to print.

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