Another Australian Meatworks Employer, Harvey Beef commenced interviews today for more Fijians that had registered under the National Employment Centre (NEC) for employment opportunities under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM).

Harvey Meats is based in Perth, Western Australia and 2 of their representatives arrived in Fiji yesterday for the first time, to recruit 60 Fijian meat workers who are expected to leave our shores at the end of this month or early next month.

Over the course of two days, 80 shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to market themselves during the interviews and will be part of the 60 workers selected to work in Western Australia for up to 4 years.

The Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Osea Cawaru met with the employers this week and thanked them for their commitment and for opting to recruit from Fiji for the first time.

The employer presented the purpose of their visit to Fiji and the Permanent Secretary interestingly noted that workers selected will not be required to repay airfares and visa costs.“This is good news to the Fijian Government and especially to those who will be selected for deployment with Harvey Beef given the free cost highlighted,” said PS Cawaru.

“This will lighten the repayment responsibility that our workers need to go through as per the current arrangements with other employers, and I sincerely commend the employer for such a goodwill gesture.

“The employer also acknowledged and thanked the Fijian Government through the NEC as the labour sending Unit for their friendliness and accommodating their request for coordinating the two days interview including other administration work to ensure that the deployment of the selected workers is successful.

The Permanent Secretary for Employment further highlighted that the Fijian Government is confident that this relationship will benefit both the Australian and the Fijian Government under the PALM scheme.