JOB advertisements fell by 7.2 per cent cumulative to June reflecting moderation in job market pressures, the Reserve Bank of Fiji stated in its latest August Economic Review released this week.
The contraction, it said, was partly attributed to adjustments in hiring intentions by businesses given the rising operational costs.
“In addition, around 150 companies are listed on the Department of Immigration’s Qualified Employers’ List, which allows these companies to import labour where there are skill shortages,” RBF stated.
“Furthermore, tighter migration policies abroad have led to a contraction in the number of Fijians moving overseas.
“In total, the number of people leaving (for a year or more) for employment, education/training, emigration, and other purposes noted a decline (-33.3 per cent) cumulative to July, which may have resulted in less resignations and thus lower vacancies.”
Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua had issued a ministerial directive on May 1, 2024, for the Fiji Immigration Department to exempt close to 150 companies in Fiji from providing the following information to Immigration Fiji while applying for Priority Work Permits when recruiting a foreign national:
- Reasons why position cannot be filled by citizen of Fiji Island;
- Evidence of copies of advertisements for vacancy;
- Reasons local applicants were not suitable;
- What type of training organisation intends to do (for the local);
- Names and positions of (local) persons to be trained.
The 150 plus companies’ names have also been published by the Fiji Immigration Department in a list titled “Qualified Employers List.”
