131 women have been engaged in the Seasonal Employer Scheme to New Zealand and Australia since its inception in 2015.
This was highlighted by the Minister Employment, Productivity and Industrial relation, Jone Usamate while responding to Fiji First MP, Alvick Maharaj’s question on how many women have participated in the seasonal employment to New Zealand and Australia.
He adds that the female workers that are being sent to Australia are mostly working in the hotel and accommodation sector while in New Zealand they also work in the Horticultural sectors and packing houses.
Usamate then revealed that a lot more women are wanting to go and the Employment Ministry is looking internally to increase the number adding that under the Seasonal Workers Scheme the Employers select the workers they want.
He adds that the Ministry of Employment is also directly corresponding with Employers that may be in need of more female workers rather than waiting for them to approach the Ministry.
Oposition MP Salote Radrodro then highlighted that the figures given by the Employment Minister is a clear demonstration of how women are being treated as far as employment is concerned and also suggested that the Ministry of Employment should look at reviewing trade agreements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have more women engaged with employment overseas.
In his response, Usamate then said that the Employment Ministry cannot dictate to the Employers on who they should employ.
A total 1,395 people have been engaged with Seasonal Employer Scheme to New Zealand and Australia since its inception in 2015.
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