The Interagency Taskforce on Beggars is exploring areas of employment and income generating opportunities for 40 beggars who have been profiled in Suva.
Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Minister Dr. Jiko Luveni said street beggars will be able to get into employment and income generating including the required skills training through the Ministry’s “Welfare Graduation Program” for which $500,000 has been allocated.
Dr. Luveni said through the profiling exercise, the Taskforce noted that most of the beggars are on social welfare assistance and they have interviewed them on their interests in terms of employment and skills development.
The Ministry will assist them through vocational training.
Meanwhile, Dr. Luveni added the construction work on Fiji’s first rehabilitation facility for the street beggars is expected to start as soon as funds are released from Ministry of Finance.
