The temporary contracts issued to former Department of National Roads [DNR] un-established/casual staff who were absorbed by Higgins – one of the companies contracted for road work in Fiji – came to an end on today [March 22nd, 2013.]
However 128 of the 197 former DNR casual staff who were engaged by Higgins under three-month temporary contracts will be offered permanent contracts beginning on the 1st of April this year. 69 staff members have been notified that their contracts will not be renewed.
A spokesperson for Higgins said that this decision was only taken after extensive consultations with its workforce to make sure that all affected workers were well informed on the process and the reasoning behind it.
All those whose contracts have not been renewed will receive pay through the end of the month.
“The three month period allowed us to establish exactly what we required in terms of our staff, in order to make sure that we are able to meet all the requirements of our contract. I would like to thank all the former DNR employees for their extremely hard work and eagerness to learn.”
The spokesperson also acknowledged the huge Government investment to improve Fiji’s road infrastructure, and said that this process was established to assemble the best team possible to deliver high-quality roads to the Fijian people.
“We are committed to giving Fijians the best return on their investment,” the spokesperson said.
The other contractors engaged by the Fiji Roads Authority adopted different approaches to absorbing former DNR un-established/casual staff – in order to best optimise their workforce – and did not offer temporary contracts.
For further details on this, please email Mr Edwards on R.Edwards@higgins.co.nz
MINFO