Prof. Prasad dismisses Koroilavesau’s unemployment claims

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says claims by FijiFirst MP Semi Koroilavesau that there is massive unemployment in the country is bogus and designed to mislead.

Professor Prasad says the reference is without any figures and statistics.

While raising a point of order, Koroilavesau says he understands there is a percentage of unemployment in Fiji and that does explain our people on the streets and other areas who are not employed.

He says it is the responsibility of the government to get them employed.

Professor Prasad says according to the FNPF, in 2023, formal sector employment returned to more than pre-pandemic levels and average salary in the formal sector also increased by 12.46 percent.

The Deputy Prime Minister says all the data from the Bureau of Statistics, the Reserve Bank of Fiji, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and everybody in the business community recognise that Fiji has a tight labour market, there is a shortage of labour and sometimes they cannot even find skilled labour.

While Professor Prasad was speaking, FijiFirst MP Jone Usamate can be heard calling Professor Prasad a joke and in response, Professor Prasad also said that Usamate is a joke.

FijiFirst MP Faiyaz Koya then raised a point of order and said that Usamate has been in Parliament for many years and Professor Prasad should refrain from referring to another MP like he did and he should withdraw the statement.

Professor Prasad responded that they must learn to take it as well.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Lenora Qereqeretabua then said that she has heard some words from the Opposition to someone specifically in the Government and while addressing Usamate, she said she would like that to stop.

She urged members to respect each other and carry on with the debate.

Professor Prasad says Koya forgets what Usamate said.

The Deputy Prime Minister has also highlighted that the President reminded all of them not to lose sight of the fact that national interest is paramount at all times and urged them to ensure that they must promote unity and diversity.

He says the President also expressed concern that a few unscrupulous politicians continue to instigate mistrust among the communities and he emphasised the importance of respectful debate because of its impact on inter-ethnic relations.

Professor Prasad says he has always believed Parliament to be a temple of democracy.