The government is urging greater participation of traditional communities, known as vanua, in preparing local villagers for job opportunities abroad through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. Maritino Nemani, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Employment, emphasized the importance of a collaborative effort that encompasses families, communities, and government initiatives.
“We need to involve the families, we need to involve the vanua,” Mr. Nemani stated, highlighting the significance of engaging village residents, particularly since many potential workers originate from rural areas.
He noted that registration forms for workers aspiring to work overseas now require families to disclose the number of children they have. This initiative aims to better understand the familial obligations of workers and the effects of their absence on their households.
Moreover, Mr. Nemani announced that the Fijian government has acknowledged the necessity for enhanced pre-departure training for these workers. The training period has been extended from four days to two weeks to ensure a more thorough preparation process before workers embark on their overseas journeys.