Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation urges focus on local labour market before overseas schemes

The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation has called on the government and training institutions to prioritise Fiji’s local labour market needs by developing strategies and training programmes to ensure economic and business sustainability.

FCEF says its reaction comes in light of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations’ announcement to open registrations today for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme and the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

Chief Executive Officer, Edward Bernard, says while they applaud the Ministry’s announcement that only those who are unemployed or have no source of income will be eligible to register for the overseas labour mobility schemes, there have been instances where employers received resignations from staff just so they could register, and cases where staff left for these schemes without tendering their resignations.

Bernard says preliminary findings from the latest Employment and Unemployment Survey in 2022 to 2024 stated that there are 18,073 people unemployed.

He says the Ministry and training institutions must target this group of individuals for the local labour market first before considering the overseas labour market.

He adds that statistics from the same national survey are extremely concerning, showing that in the last eight years, the national unemployment rate has only reduced by 0.10 percent, from 5.50 percent to 5.40 percent,while the youth unemployment rate has increased by 0.20 percent, from 18.10 percent to 18.30 percent.

The CEO says that before addressing labour and skills gaps in other countries, Fiji must ensure that its own enterprises and industries are adequately supported.

Bernard further stated that with the opening of registrations for the overseas labour mobility schemes, it is imperative for the Ministry to carry out due diligence by cross-checking with institutions such as the Fiji National Provident Fund and the Fiji Revenue & Customs Service to verify that those registering and departing for overseas schemes are genuinely unemployed.