The Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Mr Jone Usamate today announced that more employment opportunities have opened up in the United Arab Emirates for Fijians in the tourism sector.
Minister Usamate revealed that the newly commissioned Foreign Employment Service (FORES) at the Ministry’s National Employment Centre (NEC) continues to work around the clock with Fiji’s embassy in the UAE and relevant agencies in Fiji to ensure more Fijians are exported as workers to the UAE.
“In the tourism industry, Fijian workers are known around the globe for the warmth in their exceptional customer service and their ‘bula smile’. Endowed with these assets and the ability to work in a cross cultural environment, our workers are in demand in the United Arab Emirates,” Mr Usamate said.
The Minister highlighted that the additional request for hotel workers was received from the UAE tourism sector this week, even as applications for healthcare work continue to flow into the office. These positions will be advertised in the Fiji Sun tomorrow, Saturday 2nd February 2013.
There are a total of 21 vacancies and the invitation of Expressions of Interest in this area include waitress & waiter, chef, food & beverage personnel (4 categories), front office personnel, housekeeping (2 categories), guest services (spa & retail), fitness instructor – recreation, executive butler, events executive – sales, guest activities coordinator, information technology supervisor, kids club/child care attendant, security officer – control room administrator, maintenance technician, A/C technician – engineering and plumber – engineering.
“Potential applicants should know that the UAE market is very competitive as Fijian workers will be assessed by the UAE clients against other applicants from the rest of the world considering the fact that other workers from the Americas and Europe are also seeking work in the UAE in the wake of the US and European financial and economic crisis. However, I am confident that we can hold our own against these challenges based on the proven versatility of our workers in the international arena,” the Minister said.
The FORES has developed a comprehensive and modern International HRM best practice governance framework benchmarked to ISO 9001:2008, ISO 26000 and Business Excellence criteria on which to assess applicants to ensure that all the clients’ specifications for candidates are more than adequately met.
Minister Usamate revealed that this modern framework does not only assess the core technical competencies of applicants, but also the essential generic skills and needed behavioral skills compatible with the religious, cultural and social values of the host country, including the legal, political, economic, security, technological and other environmental factors.
The FORES has also designed a modern and progressive value-based pre-departure training package and counseling sessions for successful candidates to be exported to the UAE based on the anticipated challenges faced by Fijian workers overseas.
Mr Usamate said he is hopeful that the negotiations in the UAE will bear fruit so that Fijian workers will be exported under Government’s newly established Foreign Employment Service. He also confirmed that 100 security personnel have been processed under the Ministry of Defense targeting the UAE market for regularization under the FORES.
FORES invites all interested candidates to visit the following websites, www.nec.org.fj or www.labour.gov.fj for more information and instructions on how to apply for these positions.
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