About 20,000 applications from Fiji for the Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme for Australia are still being processed, with the focus now shifting to sectors experiencing critical shortages.
Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh says only around 800 positions are currently being opened, specifically in sectors with high demand.
Singh says these include 300 aged care workers, 100 drivers required holding Group 5 and Group 9 licenses and 100 halal meat workers.
The Minister says the rest of the applications remain part of a significant backlog, with some dating back to 2020 however, the scheme is progressing well, and remittance inflows are strong.
The Minister also confirmed that three country liaison officers have been appointed, with a fourth soon to be based in Australia.
Previously, no such officers were available to assist Fijian workers abroad.
He says they are selecting those who are unemployed from remote areas as first priority.
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