Phase 3 of COVID-19 FNPF Withdrawal Scheme to begin on the 25th of August

Payments under phase three of the COVID-19 FNPF Withdrawal Scheme will be given out from the 25th of August to the 20th of October 2020.

Fiji National Provident Fund CEO Jaoji Koroi says the two categories of relief in this phase are reduced hours and reduced wage rate and both categories are eligible for government assistance if the members General Account Balance is insufficient.

Koroi says around 82,000 members were assisted under the scheme in the first phase while 25,046 members where assisted in the second phase.

He also says that members whose wage rate has been reduced by up to 50%will receive a lump sum payment of $550 while a lump sum payment of $1100 will be given to those whose salary has been reduced by more than 50%.

Koroi adds that in phase three, members who have been unemployed from October 2019 to date can apply for a lump sum payment of $1100.

Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had earlier confirmed that those who are fully unemployed will continue to get $220 per fortnight and an assessment will be done after five weeks to ascertain what has happened to the person who is receiving the benefit.

He had said that people may get re-employed after the five week period and this is the kind of checks and balances they have to put in place.

Koroi has also clarified that members who are both on reduced hours and reduced rates cannot apply for both categories.