Historic MOA signed between FTUC and Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation to implement the

A historic memorandum of agreement has been signed between the Fiji Trades Union Congress and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation that will implement the “Transition to Business“ project.

The immediate objective of the project is to target redundant formal sector workers who have started potentially scaleable businesses and build their capacities to sustain their micro-businesses and income for their families.

The specific services the initiative will provide are business training, business advisory and business mentoring.

FTUC National Secretary, Felix Anthony says through the in-crisis rapid assessment, they have found that currently 50 percent of their surveyed members were redundant and of these 46 percent have ventured into self-employment.

Anthony says through the initiative FTUC will ensure they provide the support their members need to continue to earn income.

He adds this will ultimately contribute to improving the local economy and potentially create more employment opportunities for other redundant union members.

The President of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, Sandeep Chauhan says the Federation has developed a wealth of in-house experience and expertise in supporting micro-business and can contribute very effectively to the project.

The initiative was conceived through a bipartite meeting facilitated by the International Labour Organization.

A joint FTUC and FCEF Project Steering Committee will be established to finalize the operational arrangements, identify beneficiaries and roll out activities.