Villagers in the Ra province have welcomed the Employment ministry’s initiative to meet with them and discuss the various employment opportunities offered by the Government.
The comments were made to the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Honourable Jone Usamate who led seasonal work public consultations in the Ra province today. Minister Usamate held consultation at Soa village for three villages under the Tikina of Bureivanua where he spoke on the Government’s seasonal work scheme and the benefits of Fijians applying to the program.
The Turaga-Ni-Koro- for Soa village, Paula Seru commended the Minister and his team for meeting with them and to look at the various employment-related opportunities that exist.
“We have heard about this employment opportunity and we did not expect to have the Minister and his team today to meet with the Tikina for this worthy course,” said Seru.
“We’ve been hoping to receive such assistance to help us rebuild our homes and families for what (Cyclone) Winston has left behind,” he added.
The Minister highlighted the new recruitment and selection criteria for seasonal work and highlighted Government’s focus in improving living standards and alleviating poverty.
“Through this assistance, my Ministry has also focussed in recruiting and selecting community members from isolated rural areas that are badly affected by TC Winston, said Usamate.
“This initiative is another of Government’s assistance in supporting and helping rebuild and bringing life back to normalcy,” said Usamate.
The Minister urged community members of Tikina Bureivanua to make use of this opportunity and also requested the vanua, religious groups and individuals to work together for the successful implementation of Government’s initiative.
The villagers also welcomed this initiative as their main source of income is from farming dalo and yaqona.