NINETEEN seasonal workers from Ovalau in Fiji’s Lomaiviti group return to work in fruit farms in New Zealand for seven more months under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Work Scheme.
The workers will be employed by the same employers – Bostock New Zealand and Vinepower Limited.
It has been confirmed that during the first three months, they will be engaged in apple picking with Bostock New Zealand in Hasting City, North Island, and will complete the remaining four months with Vinepower Ltd in Bleinheme Town, South Island pruning vineyard field.
Ministry of Employment permanent secretary Osea Cawaru thanked the group for their commitment and dedication in building and maintaining good relationships with the employer and their co-workers.
“Congratulations on your achievement and I also thank your individual families, the ‘lotu’ and ‘vanua’ for their support. Without your commitment, the Government will not be able to fully roll-out this initiative in improving living standards for all Fijians,” Mr Cawaru said at the pre-departure orientation in Levuka last week.
“You must set clear goals and work towards it. Maintain your good work performance as this will open up more employment opportunities for other Fijians.”
Ovalau team leader and Tavia Village headman Sitiveni Sovakowaqawai said they were grateful for the opportunity given last year and again for putting their trust in them for another chance to work under the scheme this year.
“I also thanked the Fijian Government for this employment opportunity and as an unemployed Fijian residing in the isolated rural community, to be employed for overseas employment is a dream come true,” Mr Sovakowaqawai was quoted saying in a Government statement.
Mr Cawaru said the ministry was working towards having a liaison officer both in New Zealand and Australia under the seasonal work scheme and program to establish productive inter-stakeholder relationships with Fiji.
He said this wuidwould secure more employment opportunities for Fijian and at the same market Fiji’s workforce to recognised seasonal employers as a source of reliable seasonal labour and ensuring the sustainability of the scheme and the program.
