Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation CEO, Edward Bernard says Fiji needs to do more to reintegrate workers returning from overseas seasonal employment schemes back into local industries.
Bernard highlighted this on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan, when asked about training people and gifting them to Australia and New Zealand under NEC and PALM Schemes and how long can Fiji sustain this when we are already at crisis point.
He says many workers leave Fiji under the NEC and PALM schemes to work in Australia and New Zealand for seven to nine months, but there is currently no effective system to bring their skills back into the local workforce.
The CEO says the issue has become a major concern and stressed that Fiji’s labour market is not working for our local employers and authorities must ensure that our system works rather than benefiting employers in other countries.
He says one of the first steps is understanding the problem, while the second is improving coordination among labour market agencies and government ministries.
Insert: Benard on ministries role 23rd May
Meanwhile, Fiji Higher Education Commission Director, Doctor Eci Naisele says their priority is our home front.
Dr Naisele says they want to train people for our industries and overseas actually is second door opportunity for those who want to move out.
He says it is compulsory that industries must have a strong input in the development of that training package.
Insert: Dr Naisele on lack of skills MC 23rd May
You can watch the full interview on our website fijivillage.
