Govt to ease work permit process and assist private sector in getting more workers in Fiji – Prof. Prasad

Govt to ease work permit process and assist private sector in getting more workers in Fiji – Prof. Prasad

By Marika Rasekaseka
Monday 16/10/2023
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Prof. Biman Prasad [Image: Fiji Government]

As our nation battling the loss of skilled workers to overseas countries, the Fijian Government is now focused on improving the processes at the Immigration Department to ease the work permit process and to assist the private sector in getting more workers in Fiji for the needy areas.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Prof. Biman Prasad highlighted this while participating at the 2023 Human Capital Ministerial Conclave plenary session on Friday, 13 October, during the margins of the 2023 Annual meeting for World Bank and IMF held in Marrakech, Morocco.

The Deputy Prime Minister says that migration is a significant issue for Fiji, where in the last 18 months, around 10 per cent of the formal workforce has left our shores to develop neighboring countries.

While raising the question of how can governments leverage the private sector to re-skill and up-skill workers, Professor Prasad says there is significant value in technical, vocational, and enterprise education and training (TVET) programs in schools and tertiary institutions.

He says the TVET program is the modern-day solution towards transforming the Fijian economy to greater heights through the expansion of its human capital by creating an opportunity for skilled workers.

He adds that by rebuilding the technical education system as well as addressing the skills gap issue in the country, the Fijian Government is now going to invest in this and work together with existing service providers, including the newly established Pacific Polytech.

The Deputy Prime Minister says Fiji is also focusing on skills development and training at all levels of Fiji’s educational system and the private sector will be playing an important role in this.

FEATURE NEWS
140 youths living on Suva streets
A recent profiling exercise by the Ministry of Youth and Sports has identified 140 youths living on Suva streets, including 40 women and eight childre...
13 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Constitutional processes to address issues with Corrections Commissioner – PM
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the Government will exhaust all processes provided under the Constitution in addressing issues relating to the ...
10 hours ago

Ministry urges shift in family responsibility as elderly abandonment increases in Suva
Families and communities must embrace a shift in mindset, prioritising the care and responsibility for their elderly, as adult children are knowingly ...
12 hours ago

Health Ministry receives 3,000 emergency Antiretroviral drugs from UNDP to support HIV surge response
As Fiji faces an increase in the number of HIV cases, the UNDP has recently delivered 3,000 much needed emergency antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to the ...
13 hours ago

$191,000 vans purchased by Mataqali Matalevu to drive economic growth
Today marks an unforgettable day for the Mataqali Matalevu in Vunitogoloa Village, Ra, as they have purchased two vans from Asco Motors as part of ...
13 hours ago

TSLS launches new digital tools to enhance service delivery
A new era has begun for tertiary students in Fiji as the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Service has launched three of its programs which includes the ...
13 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Virgin Australia crew members allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed outside Nadi nightclub
A man has been charged with the rape and sexual assault of one of the Virgin Australia crew members in the early hours of New Year’s Day, near a ...
5 days ago

Lynda Tabuya dismissed as Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says in light of the recent events concerning the conduct of Lynda Tabuya, and in consideration of the Oath she has ...
14 days ago

Fijian Drua in Kadavu
The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are keeping in tradition with their previous pre-season training and will be in Kadavu till Friday afternoon. The ...
21 days ago

TOP