Fiji is taking proactive measures to combat significant labor shortages in the sugar industry by introducing a new recruitment model. Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh announced that the initiative will involve the importation of workers from Bangladesh to maintain the consistency of cane farming and milling operations.
According to Singh, local labor supply cannot satisfy the current demands due to various factors including seasonal employment opportunities abroad, internal migration, and the physically strenuous nature of agriculture work. This new program is seen as crucial for ensuring the stability and productivity of the sugar sector.
The structure of this Government-to-Government recruitment model is currently being drafted and is set to be presented to the Cabinet. Singh noted that Bangladesh has shown a genuine willingness to assist in the structured supply of labor specifically for agriculture, emphasizing a professional and organized deployment system that emerged from their discussions.
This initiative not only seeks to comply with legal requirements but is also contingent upon farmer approval, reinforcing its commitment to the future of cane farming and milling in Fiji. Singh’s efforts reflect a strategic approach to securing essential labor while acknowledging the complex dynamics affecting the local workforce.
With these measures in place, there is hope that the sugar industry can overcome its challenges and thrive, fostering economic stability for those reliant on it.
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