Report key to action: Koroilavesau
More than 1000 workers will be sent soon
Areport on the alleged exploitation of Fijian workers under the seasonal worker programme in Australia will determine what action to be taken by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations. Minister for Employment, Productivity and Employment Relations Semi Koroilavesau said there had been reports in the media on the issue but the Government would want the facts. “There have been a lot of reports on the media regarding the issue but what we want are facts so this will be determined in the report that we are expected to receive sometimes this week from Australia,” Mr Koroilavesau said. “At the moment it is premature to make a decision; first we need to see the report so that we can be able to set differences and I will have a meeting with the Australian Embassy here in Fiji to address these issues once I receive the report. “We have had an understanding with the Australian Government that they will look after Fijians who were under the seasonal programme.” Mr Koroilavesau said the problem was that they had been hearing one side of the story where workers had been complaining about the work conditions. “But then it all depends on the report we are expected to receive this week; we need to know the facts be- hind these allegations,” he said. Mr Koroilavesau said they were also looking at sending more than 1000 Fijians to be part of the seasonal workers programme this year. “Talks are underway to send more Fijians for the programme; at the moment there are around 200 Fijians employed under the programme in Australia,” he said. “Apart from Australia and New Zealand; there are plans to send Fijians to America under the same programme and the American Government had been encouraging. This is basically to Hawaii and California as the weather there is quite similar to ours,” he said.
At the moment it is immature to make a decision; first we need to see the report so that we can be able to set differences and I will have a meeting with the Australian Embassy...
Semi Koroilavesau
Minister for Employment