Local employees speak out against allegations

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Grace Road Group employee, 32-year-old Jiulia Narua tends to the tomato plants inside one of the many greenhouses at their farm in Navua. Picture: JOVESA NASUA

TWO locals working for the Grace Road Group’s farm in Navua have spoken out after the allegations levelled against the church and its leader the Rev Shin Ok Joo.

Kelera Dimairewa Delai has been working as a sales rep for the group’s Missha cosmetic shop at MidCity in Suva for the past two years.

The 19-year-old completed high school in 2016 and was looking for casual employment when she applied for the job.

She said she was shocked when she came to know about the claims made against the church and the group.

The Rev Shin and three others were arrested in July at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport in South Korea on charges linked to violence against some of the church’s 400 members in Fiji.

“I have learnt a lot from them like time management and how to take care of our skin and how to do make-up and all,” Ms Delai said.

“They are very great people to work with.

“I don’t know about the church, but I’ve met their leader and it’s sad that she’s been accused of all these.

“When she’s in Fiji, she comes to the shop and she’s a very nice lady.

“I’ve been with them for two years and I think the claims made against them are not true,” Mss Delai said.

 

Grace Road Group employee Kelera Delai. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA

Vunibau, Serua villager Jiulia Narua works at the farm as a tomato farm attendant.

She looks after one of the group’s greenhouses. Ms Narua said she worked eight hours a day, beginning her shift from 7am to 5pm daily.

She said she was surprised about the claims made against the group and hoped the truth would be revealed.

“I came to work here to help support my family,” she said.

“When I started here, I used to work outside at the passion fruit, ginger and other vegetable farms in the sun, but as I progressed they brought me to work inside the greenhouse.

“I only knew about the claims against the church and group through the news, but I don’t know anything as I have never witnessed anything they’re claiming.

“Through this employment, I am able to learn a lot of things about agriculture,” she added.

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