Unity Fiji leader Savenca Narube claimed Fiji’s unemployment figures were sitting at 30 per cent at present and could double in four years.
And the former Reserve Bank of Fiji governor claimed his party’s economic transformation program could address the issue by doubling Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in four years.
Speaking to the media at Ed’s Court in Raiwaqa this week, he said the program was the main thrust of the policies they had on employment.
“The numbers of unemployed people, we believe are quite high up to 30 per cent unemployed,” Mr Narube explained.
“And if you look at young people alone, this unemployment rate could climb up to 60 per cent in four years.
“That program is our main thrust of our policies on employment and this is to better use our own natural resources.”
He said the program had five platforms, including machines to increase production, processing centers to increase value adding and capital to allow investment to happen.
Mr Narube said the economic program would also be used in rural areas to create employment for rural people.
“We are predicting that the program alone can double GDP in four years — so with that comes employment.
“What is also very special about the economic transformation program is that many of these will be in rural which is where the resources are, and this will create employment and incomes in rural. Again, it will hopefully reduce the migration of people from rural to urban areas.”
