FNPF warns employers and members not to collude or engage in fraudulent activities involving COVID withdrawals

The Fiji National Provident Fund has warned employers that it will take action against those COVID-19 member withdrawals that have been falsified.

Acting Chief Executive Officer, Viliame Vodonaivalu says the Fund noticed an increase in the number of Phase 3 applications received for the reduced wage rate option that entitles a member to a lump sum payment of $550 or $1,100, depending on the percentage of wage rate decrease.

The FNPF is urging members and employers not to collude or engage in such fraudulent activities.

Vodonaivalu says if anyone is found engaging in such practices, they will have to face the law.

He says employers are requested to be honest with the applications.

The Acting CEO says their verification processes includes checks on members’ contributions and they are able to see if the member’s salary has not changed.

He says this is of great concern, especially if the member is accessing the full government top up subsidy.

Phase 3 Round 4 Cycle 2 payment is scheduled for next week 13th April 2021, and the deadline for applications is 8th April 2021.

The Fund also issued an early payment for Phase 2 Round 5 members last week, which was initially scheduled for today. Payments for members banking with ANZ, BSP and Westpac were processed last week while members banking with Bred Bank, Bank of Baroda and HFC will receive their funds tomorrow.

Members opting for the M-PAISA and Post Fiji Bill Pay will receive their payment this week.

Some members did not receive their payment as the members were initially auto-registered but the application was cancelled as a FNPF contribution was received. The member will need to reapply on the mobile app or through their employer.

The Fund says in other cases, the members had re-applied and the verification process is ongoing. If approved, the members will be paid in the next Phase 2 payment cycle on 20th April 2021.