Employers of 172 workers leaving for Australia will have a COVID-safe workplace plan to protect them - Feakes

Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes says the employers of the 172 workers who are leaving to work in Australia today will have fully approved COVID-safe workplace plans to protect them during their stay.

These workers are going to Australia through the Ministry of Employment's Pacific Labour Scheme and will work for the Regional Workforce Management for a term of 3 years.

Feakes says the workers will enter hotel quarantine in Sydney for 14 days and only after completion of that they will be able to start their new jobs.

He says they have stepped up their efforts to support workers welfare during COVID-19 by providing Pacific workers with the latest health advice and guidance on navigating COVID-19 restrictions.

Feakes says they will also be providing other forms of support including pastoral care and information in Pacific languages on issues such as social distancing and self-isolation.

He adds that the welfare of Pacific workers in Australia under the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme is a priority for the Australian Government.