1,200 jobs could be available for Fijians

1,200 jobs may be made available for Fijians should the Skills Movement Scheme (SMS), initiated by the Melanesian Spearhead Group, be implemented in the near future.

This was the statement made by the Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Shaheen Ali during the official opening of first ever National Workshop of the SMS.

The scheme is an initiative to help in the movement of skilled workers amongst MSG countries to fill skills shortages where needed.

Ali said under the scheme each of the MSG member country has committed 400 jobs which is based on an average of 0.05 percent of the total workforce in one MSG country.

He said these 1,200 jobs will fall under specialized fields in MSG countries such as PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu where these shortages exist.

Ali said the scheme compliments the Fijian government's effort to create a skills and knowledge-based economy.

Fiji has so far made major preparations towards the implementation of the scheme with the completion of the application forms of the scheme however the scheme can only start once other member countries are ready.

The Labour Standards Director at the Ministry Of Labour, Vilimone Baledrokadroka said they hope to send the first batch of workers in the first quarter of next year.

Story by: Minnie Edmanley