Job seekers and employers across Fiji are set to benefit from faster, more efficient and user-friendly employment services following the official launch of the National Employment Centre Local Employment Registration System.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh highlighted that the new platform marks an important milestone in the Ministry’s journey towards modern, efficient and citizen-centred service delivery.
He says the more user-friendly any system is, the better it is for the people.
The Minister explained that the platform goes beyond simply registering job seekers and represents a shift in how local employment facilitation is approached.
He says this approach supports not only employment placement, but also productivity growth and long-term workforce development.
INSERT: Singh on platform 29th Jan
Singh says the goal is clear, which is to leverage technology and innovation to build a Ministry that is more efficient, more productive and increasingly data-driven in the way policies are designed and services are delivered to the people of Fiji.
He says the launch builds on earlier digital reforms, including the successful introduction of a paperless inspection system last year, which significantly improved inspection processes and data management and lifted efficiency to a much higher level.
He adds that since then, the Ministry has continued work on several digital initiatives to be completed in the near future, including the automation of internal approval processes, digital documentation management, and the progressive digitalisation of occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation services.
Singh emphasised that change is not without challenges, and that human nature being what it is, people are often resistant to change.
However, he says that if efficiency is to be improved and effectiveness increased, adaptation is necessary.
Singh says that labour mobility is a serious issue for developing countries like Fiji, where people are always looking for greener pastures.
He says that while the Ministry cannot stop this, it can improve training and workforce preparation to better support national economic development.
He acknowledged the strong collaboration between Ministry teams, partners and stakeholders in developing the system, emphasising that technology must respond to real needs on the ground.
Meanwhile, Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation Chief Executive Officer, Edward Bernard welcomed the launch of the platform, describing it as a critical step towards addressing long-standing gaps in Fiji’s labour market information and helping employers find the right talent.
He says employers across the country have struggled to secure suitable workers, largely due to the absence of reliable, real-time labour market data, and that this platform will provide real-time information on job seekers, their qualifications and their experience.
Bernard says the system could also address concerns about fake qualifications being used to secure employment.
He explained that the Ministry of Employment will be able to verify qualifications before they are posted, ensuring employers can access verified information and recruit people with genuine skills and qualifications.
He adds that FCEF, as a member of the National Employment Centre Board, will ensure that if individuals are dishonest about their qualifications and skills, employers follow proper human resources processes, which could include termination.
Bernard says that overall, the initiative would strengthen confidence in the labour market and support both job seekers and employers as Fiji continues its economic recovery.
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