We will have to wait and see if there is a need for further unemployment assistance - AG

Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says they will have to play a wait and see game on whether there will be further unemployment assistance for affected people after the second round of the $360 payment.

Sayed-Khaiyum says they will have to do an assessment on where they are financially and this will also depend on the rate of re-employment.

He says they expect the numbers to drop as people return to work.

Meanwhile applications for the second round of the unemployment assistance are open to all fully vaccinated Fijians till 5pm this Friday.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the payment for the second round will be made in early November.

He says affected people living in Viti Levu who are over the age of 18 can apply for assistance by dialling *161# and provide all the relevant information.

This includes their full name, birth registration number or citizenship number, date of birth, Tax Identification Number, FNPF number if any, Voter Identification Number, home address, a declaration to confirm if the applicant has received his/her first and second jab of COVID-19 vaccine, place of vaccination, consent for the Fijian Government to access applicants vaccination details and statutory declaration to confirm that all information provided is correct.

Sayed-Khaiyum says only those who will receive both doses of the vaccine can apply for the assistance.

He adds people who have not received the second dose at the time of the application can still apply as long as they get vaccinated by 31st October.

The Attorney General has reiterated that applications with incorrect information will not qualify.

Sayed-Khaiyum also says that people will need to apply using a prepaid sim card which is registered under their own name.