JOB advertisements in the construction sector rose by 40.3 per cent to 584 vacancies last year.
According to the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s Job Advertisement Survey, the vacancies had decreased by 43.1 per cent in 2015.
In response to questions on the construction sector performance, RBF governor Barry Whiteside said the increase in jobs advertised suggested that there was higher demand for labour in the construction sector and especially in areas requiring some higher levels of skills.
Mr Whiteside said compared with supply, the demand for related labour would remain relative high as post-disaster construction and rehabilitation work continued to be carried out by the Government, non-government organisations, the private sector and individuals.
In terms of shortage of labour, Mr Whiteside said the Government had clearly recognised the gaps and continued to implement policies to help upskill Fiji’s labour force in the near to long term as per recent national budget announcements.
“For example, in the 2016-2017 Budget, the Government announced, a 150 per cent tax deduction education fees for those companies that allowed employees to study (upskill) and attend training to obtain a professional qualifications during their course of employment,” he said.
Mr Whiteside said to encourage employment creation and availability of employment opportunities for students, Government had increased the Employment Taxation Scheme deduction rate from 150 per cent to 200 per cent and widened the scope to include apprenticeship in related areas of study and employment during holidays.
“Based on feedback received by stakeholders, through various industry meetings, the Reserve Bank notes that the sector faces issues relating to the loss of skilled labour from migration and the need for strengthened regulatory frameworks (on quality of building materials, unregulated contractors etc;). Government is aware of these issues and is taking steps to resolve them.”
However, the central bank said further discussions should be held with relevant government ministries as well as related industry stakeholders such as the Fiji Master Builders Association, Fiji Association of Architects, Housing Authority and the Construction Industry Council of Fiji on the issue.