Plea for a second chance

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Divisional Fire Officer west Roveen Kumar meets with part of the inmates at the Yellow Ribbon employment expo at Tanoa Waterfront in Lautoka. Picture: BALJEET SINGH

CALLS have been made to Fiji’s employment sectors to offer former offenders employment so they are able to find their way back into society.

Ministry of Employment permanent secretary Osea Cawaru made the plea during the Yellow Ribbon Employment Expo at Lautoka’s Waterfront Hotel last week.

“Yellow Ribbon is a national campaign against continued punishment in hiring, which calls for employers to reconsider the box on job applications that requires applicants disclosure of criminal records.

“Many employers refuse to hire ex-offenders and systemic collateral consequences restrict hundreds of ex-offenders’ legal rights, which essentially extend their punishment and inhibit their ability to function as normal citizens,” Mr Cawaru said.

“Solving this problem begins with people outside prison recognising the humanity of people inside prison.”

Mr Cawaru said ex-offenders were individuals with a whole range of strengths who still had major contributions to make to society.

He urged employers to be fair to these individuals as preparing people for life after prison was a critically important public investment.

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