The Ministry of Employment is set to engage community stakeholders for the first time to address issues related to labour mobility. This announcement was made by Maritino Nemani, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Employment.
Nemani indicated that the Government has established significant partnerships over the past 16 months to tackle these challenges. “Labour mobility is a beneficial program,” he stated, emphasizing its positive impact on individual livelihoods and the mutual benefits for Fiji, the labour-saving units, and the Australian government.
He pointed out that the recent collaborative efforts among key stakeholders, including religious organizations, civil society, other governmental bodies, and the Australian Workers’ Union, have been vital. Previous initiatives suffered from a lack of coordination, leaving workers facing difficulties abroad without support.
The Ministry is now focusing on involving families in the pre-departure processes to ensure that everyone is informed and aligned on expectations when their loved ones proceed to work overseas. This enhanced collaboration is deemed essential for minimizing the effects of labour mobility on both workers and their families.