The exodus of people from Levuka to the mainland could affect the manpower needs of the Pacific Fishing Company Pte Ltd (PAFCO), says CEO Saiyad Raiyum.

He made the comments while making a submission last year to the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs that reviewed PAFCO’s 2018 Annual Report.

“The other challenge that we do not have immediately but we foresee the future would be the availability of workers on the island itself,” he said.

“That is one of the challenges that we have already started addressing, with the Levuka Town Council.

“It is trying to ensure that the people remain on the island.

“There are lesser secondary schools in comparison to the primary schools; so the first stage in which people leave the island itself is to look for secondary schools and once they are out of the island getting them back is a bit of a challenge.”