10 Nov 2010

Unskilled labour to take over Fiji Sugar Corporation jobs

3:15 pm on 10 November 2010

The Fiji Sugar Corporation has admitted some of the hundreds of permanent jobs it's shedding will be filled by unskilled workers.

The corporation has confirmed that 686 of the 1000 jobs that it announced would be lost earlier this year will be gone by April.

That comes as it has recently advertised for unskilled workers.

A spokesperson for Fiji Sugar, Samu Railoa, says some unskilled people will fill roles such as cleaning and security.

But he says others will carry out the work previously undertaken by permanent employees.

"Some are going to take over those jobs. We are getting in those unskilled workers so there should be a saving to the company."

Samu Railoa says the unions have been advised of the rationalisation.

But the Sugar Workers Union says it has not been consulted about job losses and is concerned about the casualisation of the workforce.