Fiji says it will reform its immigration policies to allow skilled workers from other countries to fill job vacancies in the Pacific island country.

Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua said on Thursday Fiji was now at the point where the lack of available skills in critical areas threatens the country’s economic growth.

He said some of the most dynamic economies in the world, such as the United States, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, got their skills from other countries, and Fiji needed to do the same, the Fijivillage news website reported.

According to the minister, Fiji does not have enough construction workers, mechanics and machine operators, and the immigration policy must adapt to the challenges.

Mr Tikoduadua said the government would put forward several simple process changes in a matter of weeks that would significantly cut the workloads of the Immigration Department staff and improve turnaround times on permit applications.

He said document requirements would be reduced, and payment and certification processes would be sped up.

The minister added that immigration officials would follow the lead of other countries hunting for scarce skills and identify priority skill sectors for which documentary requirements would be minimised. 

(Xinhua/NAN)