Fiji’s Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Manoa Kamikamica, addressed the critical issue of labor shortages during a recent workshop in Nadi. He indicated that this challenge impacts all sectors, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises, which require skilled workers to function effectively.
While acknowledging government efforts to boost productivity through various initiatives, Kamikamica highlighted how the migration of skilled labor is significantly hindering the nation’s productivity objectives. He pointed out the alarming trend of losing individuals who could have contributed to vital areas such as tourism, healthcare, education, and technology.
To address these issues, Kamikamica mentioned the government’s focus on fostering new industries and investing in essential sectors. This includes decentralizing services and modernizing policies to create a favorable business environment in Fiji. He also referred to the establishment of the Investment Facilitation Committee, designed to assist investors and streamline the investment process.
Kamikamica underscored the importance of economic diversification and developing new industries with an emphasis on value addition. He expressed the seriousness of the labor shortage and its potential repercussions on productivity and economic growth. Concerns were raised about employers’ difficulties in attracting workers, which could lead to increased operational costs and affect service standards.
He warned that a labor shortage could result in heightened workloads for existing employees and suggested that careful management is vital to mitigate these impacts. However, he noted that the government is crafting plans and strategies to tackle this pressing issue—which he described as a complex challenge.
While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Kamikamica remained optimistic that challenges could lead to opportunities for growth and innovation. He called for active engagement and collaboration to transform this challenge into a chance for economic resilience and improvement.