The Government through the Employment Ministry has welcomed the new increase in seasonal work cap by 1,750 to 12,850 under the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer Work Scheme.

The new increase was announced by the New Zealand Government at the beginning of this month.

Permanent Secretary for Employment, Salaseini Daunabuna pointed out that the increase will strengthen Fiji’s labour-sending opportunities.

Daunabuna adds this is good news for Fiji and other neighbouring Pacific Island Countries wanting more work opportunities under the scheme.

Since Fiji’s participation in 2015, the number of Fijians participating in the scheme has increased steadily, with more than 800 workers participating over a 3-year period.

She says this will also has the potential to address the issue of unemployment and can be a pathway to achieving Government’s vision of reducing the unemployment rate to below 4%.