Fiji National Provident Fund members living or working in any of the lockdown zones will only qualify for the one-off relief of $220, if they are not accessing any of the active COVID-19 relief and are not being paid during the lockdown period.
The relief is for members who will not receive wages as a result of their inability to access their workplace because of the lockdown restrictions.
This also includes employers who may have closed due to its high risk or non-essential services business nature such as barber shops, gyms, bars, etc.
Members who are currently receiving fortnightly relief payments for phase 2 round 5 or phase 3 round 4 do not qualify for this lockdown relief.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Viliame Vodonaivalu says those that do qualify, will require their employer to confirm that they are not being paid any wages during this fortnight.
He says the Fund is relying on the cooperation of employers to clearly identify members living or working in these containment zones and who would qualify for this relief.
Vodonaivalu says members and employers who will try and take advantage of this relief by colluding or attempt to submit forged documents will face the full brunt of the law.
FNPF says employers are requested to revert with their confirmed list of affected staff as soon as possible to enable their staff to apply on the mobile app and employers must also ensure that contributions for their staff are paid up to March 2021 or to at least have the contribution schedule form uploaded.
They say processing time is three working days and members must ensure they provide their correct payment mode details to avoid delays.
The lockdown relief will now close on 10th May 2021.
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