Fijian workers sent overseas to work under the Seasonal Workers Scheme are well protected - Bala

Minister for Employment Parveen Bala has assured parliament that all the Fijian workers that have been sent overseas to work under the Seasonal Workers Scheme are well protected.

This comes after SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula highlighted in Parliament that these workers end up getting nothing after all the deduction has been made and he knows this because he had also gone in a farm in Australia.

Bala says that is not the case with this government and maybe this happened with previous governments.

Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya had also highlighted in parliament that some workers that have been engaged under this scheme are victims of violation of workers rights, but the Minister says this is not the case for Fiji.

Bala was also questioned by FijiFirst MP Salik Govind to explain the Pacific Labour Scheme agreement that the Fijian and Australia government have signed as part of the Vuvale Partnership on the 5th of April 2019.

Bala says under this scheme targeting workers from 21 to 45 years where the term of work can range from 12 months to 3 years with a minimum of 12 months

He says 51 Fijians will be sent to work in the meat industry in Australia by the end of the month under this program where the employer will pay for their air fares and visa fees.

Bala says for a normal 38 hours working week, each meat worker is expected to receive AUS $776 per week or FJ$1125 and in a year and this means they can earn more than $58,000 per annum.

ADVERTISEMENT