Seasonal workers return to NZ under the Recognized Seasonal Employer Work Scheme

A total of 19 seasonal workers from Ovalau Island have returned to work for employers Bostock New Zealand and Vinepower Limited under the Recognized Seasonal Employer Work Scheme in New Zealand.

The Ministry of Employment highlighted that these returning seasonal workers will be working for a period of 7 months. 

The Ovalau Team Leader Sitiveni Sovakowaqawai who is also the Turaga‑ni‑Koro for Tavia Village of Tikina Bureta was very appreciative towards both the employers for giving them another opportunity to work under the scheme.

Meanwhile it was earlier revealed that the number of workers that are part of the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer Work Scheme has increased from 1,750 to 12,850 in 2018.

The Permanent Secretary for Employment, Osea Cawaru highlighted that the Ministry is working towards having a Liaison Officer both in New Zealand and Australia under the seasonal work scheme and programme to establish productive inter‑stakeholder’s relationships with Fiji.

Cawaru says that this will secure more employment opportunities for Fijians and at the same to market Fiji’s workforce to recognized seasonal employers as a source of reliable seasonal labour and ensuring the sustainability of the scheme and programme.