There is no guarantee that 1,035 people who will be made redundant by the Fiji Roads Authority will be reemployed by the overseas contractors next year.
This has been confirmed by the authority’s manager change Mike Rudge.
He added the government has signaled an increase in expenditure in the coming years and this increase will provide opportunities for those with the right skills and attitude.
717 permanent staff and 318 temporary staff of the Roads Authority will be made redundant as the authority begins outsourcing road works to the overseas contractors.
It has been confirmed that of the 1,152 staff, 318 temporary staff will be made redundant and as they are only employed on a temporary basis, they do not qualify for redundancy.
90 permanent staff will be deployed to other ministries and departments, 27 contracted staff will continue under their current conditions, 717 permanent unestablished staff will be made redundant and redundancy packages will be offered to them.
Cabinet has approved one week of pay for each completed full year of service.
If workers choose the redundancy package, they are free to get work with the private contractors but will not be able to reenter government service for two years.
In addition to this, 34 staff in Nadi, 20 staff in Suva and 12 staff in Lautoka will be made redundant as the Fiji Roads Authority will also be taking over management of all municipal roads.
Story by: Dhanjay Deo
