Fiji bus operators concerned as drivers leave for NZ

Concerns have been raised as many bus drivers from Fiji are leaving for New Zealand.

stuff.co.nz reports that this is after many local bus drivers accepted offers to drive buses in New Zealand to cover up the shortage of their bus drivers and ferry crews.

The Fiji Bus Operators Association says this is worrying them as it will create a shortage in Fiji.

The Fiji government confirms that 60 more bus drivers will be joining the group of 100 that has already left the country.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica says they are working with the industry stakeholders to accelerate the training of the next batch of workers.

He says they are talking about apprenticeship schemes, introducing short courses to get people into jobs and then overlaying that with some on-the-job training.

Kamikamica adds despite concerns raised by the bus operators, there were already migrant workers in the country.

The Deputy Prime Minister says this could be one of the temporary, short and medium-term solutions to the labour issue.

Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says certain Fiji bus companies had a bailor- bailee relationship with their drivers who were paid an extremely low salary but were allowed to take a certain percentage of the day’s earnings.

However, New Zealand Transport Minister Michael Wood announced that NZ$61 million has been allocated in the budget to lift bus driver wages across the country and to address the shortage.

He says urban bus drivers' pay would be increased by FJD$41.20 an hour while regional drivers would be paid up to FJD$38.45 per hour whereas in Fiji bus drivers would work up to 48 hours a week, earning $3.75 an hour.

We have sent questions to the Fiji Bus Operators Association and the Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica. They are yet to respond.