Fiji National Provident Fund’s COVID-19 Unemployment Relief which started in April, 2020 has ended.
A total of $366.3 million was paid for the 27 rounds with Government paying $185.5 million while $180.8 million was paid through FNPF.
FNPF has now reactivated its normal unemployment withdrawal ground which means that the COVID-19 Relief for phases two, three, four and the voluntary members’ relief have all ceased.
The normal unemployment withdrawal is only accessed from members’ General Account and members can access between $100 to $2,000.
Chief Executive Officer, Viliame Vodonaivalu says they continue to monitor the economic conditions at a national level and its impact on ordinary Fijians.
Vodonaivalu says the COVID-19 Unemployment relief has been active for close to three years and while we are not out of the woods yet, the opening of the international border last year is a precursor for a return to normalcy.
He says operating under the new normal for the Fund means reverting to their normal withdrawal grounds, especially for the unemployment withdrawal.
The FNPF CEO says members can apply for the Unemployment assistance within 6 months from their last employment date.
He adds for members who had been assisted under the COVID-19 Unemployment assistance or Phase 2 Round 8, they may apply for this assistance after 3 months from the date of their last payment.
Vodonaivalu says members who have resigned can only apply 3 months after their last employment date but within 6 months of unemployment and this also applies to those resigning due to overseas employment opportunities.
He adds members assisted under normal unemployment can reapply 1 year from their last normal unemployment assistance, depending on their General Account entitlement.
