The coronavirus pandemic has led to many in Fiji lose their jobs due to closure of the industries and other commercial units. However, the sugar sector has opened new opportunities for them generating jobs as sugarcane harvesters.
According to the local media reports, every year during harvesting season, around 70 per cent of mechanical harvester operators from India come to Fiji for harvesting the crop. This year the coronavirus threat has prevented them from entering into the country as the borders are locked. This has provided the opportunity for locals to operate as the harvesters.
Sunil Chaudhari, Chief Executive, Sugarcane Growers Council said, “We have started providing training to the local workforce to enable them to operate. The preference is being given to those having some knowledge about sugarcane harvesting.”
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