SUVA (Fiji Times, FM96/PINA) — More than 11,500 people, many skilled professionals, have migrated from Fiji since the coup crisis of May 2000, new figures reveal.
Describing the number as devastating, Labor Minister Kenneth Zinck said stability was at risk if the trend was not controlled.
Ethnic Indians continue to make up the majority of migrants though indigenous Fijians and other ethnic groups are also leaving.
The total includes 1760 professionals with skills and qualifications that are most sought after.
The bulk of migrants are clerical and administrative staff who account for about 70 per cent of all migrants, the Bureau of Statistics said.
From May to Dec. 2000, the number of professionals who left Fiji shores was 558. Another 927 left last year while so far this year, 550 have left.
At this rate more than 1500 professionals will have migrated by the end of the year.
Zinck said the government is trying its best to discourage people from leaving.
“We simply cannot compete with the greener pastures abroad. The government is trying to put in place incentives,’’ he said.
Zinck said stability was the key ingredient to retaining skilled people in the country. He added that since the Qarase government came into power, stability had been maintained.
The Fiji Chamber of Commerce said the country must put a stop to the loss of professional people.
Chamber President Taito Waradi said the chamber is working to find ways to encourage people who have left to return and others to stay.
The “brain drain” began with Fiji’s 1987 military coups and accelerated again after the 2000 coup crisis.
Fiji has had to bring in expatriates to fill the loss of skills, expertise and experience in many professional areas.
Waradi said he is liaising with universities overseas where Fiji students are studying to connect them with the Fiji Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber is also contemplating setting up a scheme to try and attract experienced ex-Fiji nationals back.
He said the chamber is also working with the government to have more indigenous Fijian professionals in business.
