21 Jul 2020

PNG denies recruitment of Fijian workers

8:05 pm on 21 July 2020

The Papua New Guinea government is denying a claim on social media that it's recruiting Fijians to work in PNG.

Mosese Tikoitoga.

Mosese Tikoitoga Photo: AFP

The post claimed PNG's Public Service Minister, Soroi Marepo Eoe, met last week with Fiji's High Commissioner to PNG, Mosese Tikoitoga, to discuss the recruitment drive.

But while Mr Eoe did meet with Mr Tikoitoga, it was to establish if a PNG national recruiting labour in Fiji was working in an official capacity.

Papua New Guinea MP Soroi Eoe has been appointed the country's Foreign Minister, 7 June 2019

Soroi Marepo Eoe Photo: PNG National Parliament

The Fiji Times reported the minister told Mr Tikoitoga his office was not involved in recruiting any Fijians to work in PNG's Ihu Special Economic Zone project in Gulf Province's Kikori district.

The minister, who is also the member for Kikori Open Electorate, said the recruiter, who is asking for high deposits of about US$1400 from Fijians, is "highly suspicious and misleading".

Fiji's employment ministry is investigating as the man needs a licence to recruit in the country.