Fiji is set to announce a country liaison officer (CLO) in New Zealand, a move Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh says will mark “a major step forward” in safeguarding the welfare of Fijians under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
Mr Singh told Parliament the interviews for the Wellington-based role were completed at the end of last month.
“We are just awaiting the completion of some administrative matters before we announce the appointment,” he said.
He credited the creation of the post to direct talks with his New Zealand counterpart last year, adding the initiative had been strongly supported by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Fiji’s High Commission in Wellington.
Until now, Fiji had relied on its missions in New Zealand and Australia to monitor workers, but Mr Singh argued they did not have the manpower to service hundreds of work sites.
“Our mission does not have the capacity to visit these workers and attend to their problems.
“Every labour-sending country has country liaison officers in Australia and New Zealand.
“We were the last ones to begin appointing,” he said.
“For our first New Zealand Country Liaison Officer, my ministry completed the interviews in Wellington at the end of last month and we are just awaiting the completion of some administrative matters before we announce the appointment.”
The new officer will provide on-the-ground support for welfare issues, workplace disputes and compliance monitoring, while also working alongside New Zealand unions and labour officials.
He said the move demonstrated Fiji’s commitment to ensuring fair treatment of its citizens abroad.
“The recruitment of country liaison officers is a tangible demonstration of this commitment to protecting and safeguarding the welfare of Fijian workers,” he said.
The RSE scheme allows workers from Pacific nations, including Fiji, to participate in seasonal employment in NZ’s horticulture and viticulture industries.
