Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji government official says MSG labour mobility scheme will be valuable

Posted at 03:48 on 29 November, 2012 UTC

The Ministry of Labour in Fiji says a new employment scheme initiated by the Melanesian Spearhead Group will ensure skilled workers can fill shortages in its workforce.

Members of the MSG have signed an agreement to implement a Skills Movement Scheme, an initiative allowing about 400 workers from each country to be employed across the MSG countries.

The minstry’s Vilamone Baledrokadroka says the temporary movement of workers between Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will help fill gaps in various industries.

“The original design is really to assist its member nations in filling the gaps that are there in specific industries. So really to begin with, we’re looking at the skilled people to start with the scheme so that we fill in the gaps that we have in each member country.”

Vilamone Baledrokadroka says Fiji hopes to send the first group of workers to its Melanesian neighbours as soon as possible.