Call to informal sector

FNPF urges voluntary membership, shifs focus from formal sector

THE Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) is urging employees in the informal sector to set up a voluntary account with the fund.

The call comes after FNPF found a growing number of people had found employment in the informal sector.

FNPF general manager member services Alipate Waqairawai said as the only superannuation institution in the country, the fund would be encouraging employees in the informal sector to set up their accounts under their Voluntary Membership Scheme.

“Given the situation that we faced with COVID and given the situation that we faced in TC Yasa and TC Ana, who else was there to prop people up? It was FNPF,” he said.

“So it’s important from those perspectives that those in the informal sector become voluntary members, not only saving for your future but also during times of natural disaster.

“FNPF is always there to assist people to at least rehabilitate themselves.

“Particularly during COVID-19, we worked very closely with Government to allow assistance for those that have reduced wages and lost work or are unemployed.

“FNPF is the sole superannuation provider in Fiji that stands by their members during the good times but more importantly, during the tough times when the members need our support.”

He said the fund was shifting its focus from the formal sector to workers and employers in the informal sector.

“Primarily, FNPF has always been on the formal sector but ever since COVID-19, you see the shift from the formal sector back to the informal sector.

“Also, we have seen that our effort of promoting FNPF into the voluntary in the informal sector has been left wanting, to say the least.”