THE first batch of Fijians to participate in Australia’s Seasonal Worker Program will depart on Tuesday.
A statement issued by the Australian High Commission stated the four seasonal workers had been recruited by Plant Grow Pick and would be placed in Emerald, Queensland, cultivating and harvesting table grapes.
“An Australian Department of Employment official travelled to Suva to assist officials in Fiji’s Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations to deliver a comprehensive pre-deployment briefing to these first Fijian seasonal workers,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement announcing the Fiji-Australia MOU signing last month that in addition to the horticulture industry, the Seasonal Worker Program was also being trialed in the accommodation, aquaculture, cotton and cane sectors.
“I am confident Fiji will be a valuable partner under this program as we continue to strengthen our relationship,” Ms Bishop said.
Fiji’s involvement in the program has got off to a promising start.
This first recruitment came only days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Suva between Jioje Konrote, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, and Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Steven Ciobo last month.
Source: FT/The Jet
