New recruits reminded of roles
Former tour operator employees cut grass along highway
THIRTY-TWO Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) new recruits were reminded of their roles as important cogs of Fiji’s justice system yesterday.
Speaking during their passing-out parade at the Naboro Corrections Complex yesterday, chief guest and Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes told the recruits they played a vital role in the system of justice that underpinned everything we held dear.
Mr Feakes told recruits without their dedication, professionalism and willingness to face danger and risk, Fiji would not be as safe as it was.
“As new recruits, I’m sure your tasks may sometimes seem daunting and overwhelming,” he said.
“I know that after completing your 14-week basic recruit training back in May, coronavirus measures meant this parade couldn’t go ahead as planned and this makes me feel even more honoured to be here with you today.”
THIRTY-EIGHT former employees of Rosie Holidays are now cutting grass along the Kings highway through a contract with Higgins Fiji Ltd.
Former drivers, tour guides, reservation consultants, graphic designers and airport concierge staff have been able to continue working, said Eroni Puamau, general manager of Rosie Holidays.
“My heart broke seeing the tears and the quiet desperation on the faces of my colleagues when we met to discuss what was happening in tourism and how this would affect us all,” he said.
“I have spent almost 20 years with most of my colleagues here at Rosie’s and there was no way we could just leave them with their redundancy package and forget them.”
He said Rosie Holidays had been working on programs and projects which could get its former employees into alternative forms of employment.
“We don’t care what it is, as long as our people can do the work and get paid for their effort. This is most important for us.”
Mr Puamau said the contract with Higgins Fiji Ltd helped sustain 200 people from 38 families.
The Rosie Holidays roadside maintenance team are mowing and clearing the roadsides between Tavua and Rakiraki towns.