The Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Mr. Osea Cawaru wishes to remind members of the public that the National Employment Centre (NEC) under the Ministry of Employment is the only Centre authorised to prepare workers for employment opportunities in Australia and New Zealand under the following labour mobility programs:
• Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) – Australia;
• Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) – Australia; and the
• Recognised Seasonal Employer Work Scheme (RSE) – New Zealand
This warning is being circulated again following reports received from members of the public against individuals claiming to be working in partnership with our NEC Representatives and collecting payments to register under the above-mentioned programs. These so-called agents are charging these as administration costs.
Mr. Cawaru reiterated that “any Fijian wishing to participate under the above-mentioned programs can only register and be processed through the NEC of the Employment Ministry and not by any other agency or individual.”
“Do not pay any money to individuals claiming to represent or working with the Ministry for employment opportunities in Australia or New Zealand as registration is free of charge,” he added.
Mr. Cawaru is pleading with members of the public to take heed of the Ministry’s advisory pertaining to illegal recruitment activities and refrain from being victimised by bogus agents’ with false promises.
For any clarifications, Fijians are encouraged to visit or contact the nearest Ministry of Employment Office, District Offices or the Police Station to report on any illegal recruitment activities taking place at their respective villages or communities.
The above labour mobility programs are both bilateral arrangements signed with the Fijian Government between the Australian and New Zealand governments’ respectively.