Fisheries Minister Semi Koroilavesau says a “number of Government MPs” had financially assisted 36 men from Kadavu who were stuck in Suva while trying to sort out documents to travel to Australia and work under the Pacific Labour Scheme.
He was responding to Tavuki district representative Sailasa Boteanakadavu who told the group that as the general election loomed, they should keep in mind that it was “Fiji First Government MP representative in Kadavu, Semi Koroilavesau” who assisted them.
“There are different political parties campaigning in Kadavu, I think basically he mentioned that because I am from FijiFirst party,” Mr Koroilavesau said in response.
He said he worked with three other government ministers to assist the group financially when they were stuck in Suva for five weeks trying to sort out documents.
“We have been trying to assist them because financially to look after that number of people is difficult.”
He said the group were from three districts of Tavuki, Ravitaki and Sanima, which consisted of 24 villages and travel was done by “private arrangement”.
He said a man from Kadavu who lived in Australia made the arrangement for the men to work in Australia.
“It was formalised by the Ministry of Employment, it took a little bit of time because it was a separate arrangement beside what Government normally does,” Mr Koroilavesau said.
Mr Boteanakadavu said Mr Koroilavesau had assisted the group with food expenses and he thanked the FijiFirst Government for their assistance.
He said initially 41 young men travelled from Kadavu and the number was reduced to 36 because some didn’t meet the requirements.
The group is due to fly out of the country on Monday.
