Telecom Niue has managed to provide much-needed employment for people laid off because of the Covid-19 pandemic-induced tourism shutdown.
Manatua cable Marine Survey. Photo: Supplied
The company is preparing to next week launch the new Manatua digital fibre cable which provides stronger international telecommunications links for the island.
It is also laying new fibre cable around the island with the new workers helping to dig trenches, as well as helping build a facility to house the Manatua cable.
Telecom Niue's technical manager, Roy Pavihi, said the workers would also have an opportunity to learn other aspects of the company's business, with a view to making the job long term.
"We first started off with fifteen, 15 workers that had been affected by unemployment, and fortunately for some of them they managed to find some permanent work, still with the government.
"We are down to eight staff at the moment who are still working with us," Mr Pavihi said.
Niue's Manatua cable is being funded by the New Zealand Government to the tune of US$4.5 million.
The project will connect four Pacific countries, Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands and French Polynesia.
