Tradesman’s struggles

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Amini Senibuli cleans up after floodwaters entered the Ba Municipal Market. Picture: BALJEET SINGH

The biggest challenge for Apisalome Cookson these days is providing a decent meal for his family each day in the midst of no work and very limited funds.

The skilled tradesman has been unemployed since Government announced the Lautoka lockdown in the wake of Fiji’s first COVID-19 case on March 19.

“I am a carpenter by profession and the project I was involved in was based in Lautoka City, so when the lockdown happened I was left with no job,” the 37-year-old said.

Mr Cookson said despite being temporarily off work, he was confident things would normalise soon.

“The company I work for is a great construction company, the director assured all staff that we will be re-employed once the situation is under control.”

When quizzed if he was prepared should the crisis be prolonged, the father of one said he was looking at obtaining funds from the Fiji National Provident Fund.

“I have applied for assistance from FNPF under the COVID-19 unemployment scheme and I hope that the situation improves as soon as possible.

I am looking forward to restarting work at the earliest.” Mr Cookson said he had begun a home garden in response to the sudden increase in vegetable prices.

“I have planted cassava, bele, eggplant, tomatoes and dalo.

At least my family will not go to bed on an empty stomach.”

Mr Cookson is one of hundreds of Fijians who have either lost their jobs, are presently working on reduced hours or even forced to take leave without pay because of the economic impacts of COVID-19.
 

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