Members flock to withdraw their savings for school

UNAISI RATUBALAVU
Thursday, January 17, 2008

People flock to the Fiji National Provident Fund office in Suva yesterday for partial withdrawals to pay for school needs+ Enlarge this image

People flock to the Fiji National Provident Fund office in Suva yesterday for partial withdrawals to pay for school needs

PEOPLE jam-packed the Fiji National Provident Fund office in Suva the past week to apply for a partial withdrawal for education.

The Fund has been giving up to $500 to low income earners and unemployed members to help their case.

One of the members, Navua casual labourer Sashi Lal, came early yesterday to apply.

"I have been coming for the past two days because the FNPF needed original birth certificates of my children.

"Hopefully, I will get $500 by Friday so I can buy my children's books and school needs," he said.

Mr Lal has three children in primary school this year.

"I'm worried because school starts next week but I have no money to buy books."

A single mother from Wailotua in Wainibuka, Unaisi Tinai, lodged her application yesterday.

She said she was happy the FNPF was helping poor people during this time of need.

Ms Tinai, 30, will be sending her son to Form Three at Naiyala Secondary School.

FNPF acting chief executive Aisake Taito said they were helping low income earners and the unemployed for their children's educational needs.

"For people earning $150 gross and less in a week, the maximum withdrawal is $500.

"Unemployed members can access this assistance once every six months, with a maximum of $500 per assistance," Mr Taito said.

He added that the Fund was aware of the financial hardships most members were facing and introduced the part withdrawals.

"Members need to have eligibility in order to withdraw."

Low income earners need to provide their current pay slip, a letter from school confirming their child was enrolled and the fees owed and original birth certificate to show relationship to member.

Unemployed people must provide a termination letter from their last employer in the past six months, letter from school confirming their child's enrolment and fees, child's birth certificate, together and fill an application form.