Fiji’s newly launched job scheme is targeted to incentivise employers into creating employment for unemployed Fijians.
Launched in Suva yesterday, under the new scheme, approved employers will be granted a wage subsidy of $2.60 for a three-month period for eligible employees.
One of the approved employers taking up this newly launched initiative is Fiji Coconut Millers Limited which is targeting to employ 30 unemployed youths from villages close to the production plant in Vanua Levu.
General Manager John Deo said the company saw the opportunity to increase the supply chain.
“So we thought we would tap into this initiative to clean the coconut farms. We are targeting to employ youths from Napuka to Savusavu route.We currently have supply from ten farmers with around a total of 60 acres,” he said.
“I would like to thank the government for this initiative which will help the unemployed youths and create economic activity by having an income and source of living.”
The minimum wage rate of the corporate millers is $4.12 which is based on the manufacturing order.
Also Pleass Global Limited Director Cate Pleass said the company is pleased to help people find work during such challenging times.
“There is a wide range of work from sales, quality, operational work through to logistics work and will be advertised by social media and mainstream media. We are trying to add more people for the busy season coming up and hopefully they will become permanent employees. We are hiring about 31 people,” Pleass said.
Meanwhile, Punjas & Sons Pte Ltd Taining Manager Andrew Pillay said the company has taken on the initiative as part of their corporate responsibility.
“At the moment we are looking at 80 for the first phase and we have started the recruitment for those and we are definitely going to increase the numbers when the need arises.
“We believe more employers should step up to this initiative and take advantage. We have a broad range of factories starting from ground level workers right up to the labs and managers. If there is a need for expertise required, definitely we will look into it.
“We believe when these new employees join us they will feel part of the Punjas family. The lowest pay rate at Punjas is $3.28 which is well above the market rate,” Pillay added.
