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Free bus fare for Fijians 60 years and above

June 29, 2018 12:47 am

The government will provide free bus fare assistance to Fijians who are 60 years and above.

Currently, these people pay fifty percent bus fare concession.

The free bus fare assistance will continue for persons with disabilities and both these programmes will be now be fully funded by the government.

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Meanwhile, approximately $2.5million will be used to establish a Fiji “Barefoot College”.

This is a joint initiative between the government and Barefoot College International to construct a vocational college targeted at rural-based women.

Through this programme, Fijian women will undergo on-the-job training in specific technical skills required for sustainable rural development, fostering their independence and uplifting their communities.

Meanwhile three hundred thousand dollars has been allocated to fund the Community Based Corrections Act 2018.

This is a system that fosters community-based sentencing options, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.

This Act requires the supervision of offenders when they are sentenced to community-based work.

The allocation caters for the appointment of staff and volunteer supervisors, training and enumeration of community volunteer supervisors.

While $100,000 is for the Domestic Violence Support Fund.

The fund will serve as a temporary financial support system for unemployed victims pending the making of an order for urgent monetary relief under section 34 of the Domestic Violence Act.

It will also provide allowances to unemployed victims who have no support system and who have taken out a restraining order against the employed perpetrator or perpetrator who normally provides the victim’s wellbeing.