10 January, 2026, 5:31 pm Central - 28°C Rain

Stop landowners from taking part in PALM Scheme
We don't have the right to stop anyone from leaving Fiji - Vasu

Stop landowners from taking part in PALM Scheme

We don't have the right to stop anyone from leaving Fiji - Vasu

By Navitalai Naivalurua
21/08/2023
Members of the Naitasiri Provincial Council pose for a group photo with Minister Ifereimi Vasu

A landowner from Naitasiri has requested the Government to put a ban on those landowners going overseas under the PALM Seasonal Worker Scheme as most of the villages are starting to empty out.

The landowner says most of the land is left idle when landowners go to work overseas.

He says when they return, they go back to farming.

He questioned if the Government will be reviewing this scheme as the villages are starting to empty out.

He says the scheme is great but its social consequences are too high.

Responding to the question, Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu says they don’t have the right to stop anyone from wanting to leave Fiji.

He says the social impact survey of this has been done by the province of Tailevu and they are looking at reviewing this scheme.

Vasu says this will be done through consultation.

FEATURE NEWS
We in the village are not aware of the increase in electricity tariff, this is a concern - Naisausau villager
Concerns have been raised over the increase in electricity tariff, with villagers of Namara in Tailevu saying the decision is financially driven and w...
20 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Flood-hit Naria residents call for urgent survey; council says work underway
Concerned residents of Naria in Rakiraki are calling for an urgent survey to address flooding issues that occur during heavy rain due to blocked ...
16 minutes ago

Suva Magistrates Court grants bail to two men charged in alleged tender scam
Two men who were charged in relation to an alleged tender scam have been granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court.Ripon Baral is charged by the ...
17 minutes ago

X faces possible UK ban after AI tool Grok creates fake sexual images of females
The UK government has warned that Elon Musk’s social media platform X could be blocked if it doesn't follow online safety rules.This comes after ...
2 hours ago

FNPF to hold Annual Members Forum next month in Suva, Nadi and Labasa
The Fiji National Provident Fund will be holding its Annual Members Forum next month in Suva, Nadi and Labasa, and they are urging members to attend, ...
3 hours ago

WAF carrying out preparatory works to fix sewage spill in Laucala Beach
The ongoing sewage spill from the manhole at the back entrance of a supermarket at Laucala Beach has been caused by a severe collapse of the ...
5 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
8 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
19 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
19 days ago

TOP