News

Absenteeism affecting productivity: TCF Industry

March 25, 2019 7:28 am

The Clothing, Textile and Footwear industry is concerned with the high number of absenteeism amongst their workers.

TCF’s industry council president Michael Towler says this is not a good sign because productivity is being affected.

“ The trained workforce that we had which I may add is our biggest asset but we need to work with our employees and make sure that this high absenteeism rates, especially on Monday’s is addressed.”

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Towler reveals that some of the problems, they are facing is orders not finished on time and loss of potential export markets.

“We are finding it harder and harder to service our clients. Those clients look to take their business somewhere else and places like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are getting business that should be in Fiji.”

Employment Minister Parveen Kumar says his ministry is working with the council and relevant stakeholders to ensure the industry is not affected.

More than 7,000 Fijians are currently employed in the TCF industry – of which 85 percent of the employers are women.