Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka says he made a professional and personal commitment to bringing back Fiji Airways and Air Terminal Services staff members who were laid off during the COVID19 pandemic.

While reiterating the Coalition Government’s efforts to ensure the return of the terminated workers, Mr Gavoka said they would make things right.

“The 285 employees of Air Terminal Services are expected to return to work and will be paid $5000 in goodwill payment, 212 employees of Fiji Airways will be reinstated, the No Jab, No Job policy, which cost people their jobs, has been revoked and civil service retirement age was increased to 60 and arrangements are being implemented to change contract appointments into permanent positions,” he said.

“We know that there is so much wisdom and goodwill in groups to take the country forward but there are serious challenges that we face and some of them have been articulated very well in the last three months.”

Mr Gavoka stressed the importance of people in their efforts to recover Fiji’s economy.

“I have said this on many occasions, people are at the heart of recovery.

“Today, we take pride in a nation with a strong recovery under way. “While we are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, we are doing well in terms of tourism.

“Our hotels are doing well, our national airline is doing well, and businesses are doing better. “Recovery or prosperity should not come at the cost of our people. “They were the ones who worked tirelessly and loyally for years.

“They are the ones who built organisations contributing to profits. They are the ones who upheld the business values. “So, we need to respect them.”