Registrations for PALM and RSE work schemes to open nationwide on Friday

Good news for unemployed Fijians as the registrations under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) and New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Work Scheme will open on Friday.

Ministry of Employment Permanent Secretary Maritino Nemani says registrations will be conducted nationwide through the National Employment Centre.

He says that recruitment will be guided by approved employer requirements and program standards. Nemani says eligibility is strictly limited to unemployed Fijian citizens, preferably aged between 21 to 45 years with no source of income.

He stresses currently employed individuals must not resign from their jobs to register, as selection is not guaranteed. The Ministry says registrations will cover priority sectors, including aged care, certified halal meat works, drivers and referrals from approved employers.

They say each sector has set targets to ensure quality recruitment, for example, aged care will open to 300 qualified certificate holders and the driver category requires valid licenses with a minimum of three years’ experience.

Certified halal workers and employer referrals will also be accommodated under set caps. They say applicants must provide original or certified documents, including their birth certificate, passport, curriculum vitae, academic certificates, and two character references.

All documents must be verified by a Justice of the Peace, Provincial Administrator, or Commissioner of Oaths.

The Ministry says once sector targets are reached, no further registrations will be accepted and any applicant found providing false information will be excluded from future opportunities. Nemani reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and fairness in all registration, recruitment and selection processes. He says the Ministry calls on all interested applicants to carefully review the eligibility criteria and register responsibly.

The Permanent Secretary adds members of the public are urged to contact the nearest NEC office for further information and updates.