Recruitment for the ready work pool for the seasonal workers program in Australia and New Zealand is being ramped up.

Employment Minister Semi Koroilavesau says the recruitment criteria remains in place with the target – unemployed youth in rural remote areas.

“In the meantime, we will continue to work with our selection criteria, getting people to come in and have a workforce ready, so that we are, we have the people here on standby when there’s a chance of employment in Australia, we have a pool that is readily available to be sent to Australia.”

Koroilavesau says a new agreement with the Australian Government will be signed next week extending the program which currently has 109 Fijians involved.

Under the new agreement, the employment opportunities for Fijians are expected to quadruple.

Under the Regional Seasonal Workers Scheme for New Zealand, the pilot ends in December with the return of 6 Fijians currently serving their contract.

In total, 31 Fijians have been employed since last year under the scheme.

The NZ scheme is also expected to continue with an allocation for more workers.