PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has come out in support of the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), a new permanent resident visa for selected Pacific Island countries including Fiji, which have been allocated 300 visas of the total 3000.
The inaugural Pacific Engagement Visa ballot will open on June 3, this year.
When asked on the issue of Fiji losing more of its skilled workforce to the PEV, Mr Rabuka said “we are in the era of circular migration”.
“We would be losing but we are also in the era of circular migration, where we will lose some and gain some from other sources,” he said.
“If they (Fijians) have not been properly employed here, why deny them an opportunity of employment in Australia, so it is something of mutual benefit to both Australia and Fiji.”
The Prime Minister said Fiji’s labour shortage was something we continued to face, however, it also encouraged us to develop skilled training in the country.
“We have revamped technical and vocational education training schemes that have resurfaced and eventually will be picked up by secondary schools and universities.
“We can not continue with our education system that is only aimed at providing degrees to come and work in an office, as we must have skills enhanced in training also.”
Mr Rabuka said employers were free to submit their request if they wanted to bring labourers from overseas.
“Employers are open to submit their request for not mass importation of labourers but numbers that are specific for the jobs that the employers have.”
