Representatives of the New Zealand government will be in the country next week to sign an agreement for the Recognized Seasonal Workers Scheme.

Deputy Secretary Ministry for Employment, Industrial Relations & Productivity Vilimone Baledrokadroka says a pilot project of the scheme is expected to begin in February next year with about 30 Fijians working in New Zealand.

The much anticipated scheme has now moved into another phase.

“Actually our friends from New Zealand are coming over next week for the actual signing of the inter-agency agreement to join the seasonal work scheme or the recognized employers work scheme in New Zealand and that’s towards the horticulture and viticulture industry mainly to do with fruit picking.”

The pilot phase of the scheme would include 30 workers from Fiji employed for seasonal work in Hawke’s Bay, Bay of Plenty and Nelson.

Baledrokadroka says there is no other recruitment centre. And people interested in the scheme must register with the National Employment Centre.

Potential workers will be selected in a transparent manner.

“We must send the best 30 fruit pickers to New Zealand, we want to give them the very best, give the farmers in New Zealand the very best and at the same time if they do well that side it’s gonna be win win, its good to the farmers the other side so there’s gonna be more request for potential workers from Fiji.”

The Ministry of Employment, Industrial Relations & Productivity warns the public of fraudsters who are recruiting illegally. They are advising the public to check with the ministry on the validity of such companies.