10% of labour force lost in the last 18 months – Prof. Prasad

Fiji has lost 10 percent of its labour force in the last 18 months, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad.

He says they are trying to make sure that they provide enough funding within the budget for technical training where there are new institutions like Pacific Polytech and FNU is revamping its TVET programme so that more people can be trained.

Prof. Prasad says at the same time, they are making processes at the Immigration Department easier and faster for businesses that need to bring technical people from outside the country.

He says they also want to make sure that businesses feel free, there is no fear and there is a two-way dialogue between the government and the business community.

The Deputy Prime Minister adds they are also making sure they are providing enough funding to the health sector and the nurses where they are facing a lot of challenges.