The first group of 9 selected Fijian workers after the COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions received their Pre-Departure Briefing Certificate on Friday (29/7/2022) and will be deploying soon for the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in New Zealand, while 39 Fijian workers were selected for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
The group was urged by the Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Mr Osea Cawaru that they must be dedicated and focused on their work in order to open up more opportunities for other potential workers here in Fiji to participate under the RSE scheme and PALM scheme.
“When you perform your best and focus on what is required of you during your employment, you are creating a relationship where employers will want to recruit more from your home country,” said Mr Cawaru.
“The RSE workers in this PDB are a testament to hard work and dedication, as eight ( out of the 9 workers are returning workers. This shows the trust that they have built with their employers and the Fiji Brand that they uphold and promote in New Zealand.”
“All of you are now Fijian Ambassadors, your role is critical in improving livelihoods back home as well as satisfying your employers through positive attitude and good performance.”
"You, being selected today is due to the good performance of the previous Fijian groups deployed under the scheme, therefore, you must do the same for others who wish to participate in the near future."
The Permanent Secretary of Employment spoke on behalf of the Fijian Government saying that Government is very grateful to all Fijian workers who have served their employment contracts diligently, for their hard work and dedication which has resulted in more recruitment of our Fijians under the scheme.
The Permanent Secretary for Employment also was grateful to the Approved Employers Costa Exchange Pty in South Australia, Kalfa Pty Ltd in Queensland Australia, and Petley Brook Estate Ltd in Blenheim New Zealand for providing employment opportunities for the unemployed Fijians.
This new group of workers is expected to leave Fiji for Australia and New Zealand this week, and are going to three (3) different employers, mainly in the Horticulture Industry and Meat Industry.