Suyog has been living in Victoria for only five months. He travelled from Nepal to accompany his partner who is an international student undertaking a Master of Public Health.

Suyog wearing hi-vis, cleaning a bench at a local basketball court.

Suyog at work with Citywide cleaning and disinfecting surfaces across City of Port Phillip.

Suyog had been working at a restaurant in Essendon but found himself unemployed when the venue was closed due to the restrictions put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).  He spent five or six weeks looking for work and was starting to worry about how he would pay his bills until he found out about the Working for Victoria initiative through a friend on social media. Suyog jumped at the chance to sign up.

“I downloaded the Working for Victoria Sidekicker app and within a week I had applied for the Citywide job and got the role. This is my second week in the job,” explained Suyog.

Suyog has been hired by Citywide as part of the Victorian Government’s cleaning blitz in the City of Port Phillip. The cleaning blitz is part of the state government’s $500 million Working for Victoria initiative that is creating employment for people who have lost work as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The efforts are focused on the five local government areas of the cities of Melbourne, Yarra, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Maribyrnong. Workers will disinfect and wipe down external surfaces such as street benches, handrails and door handles, traffic light buttons, poles, bicycle stands and bins.

“What was really helpful was the Working for Victoria team called me to discuss my experience and asked if I was interested in cleaning services. It was really nice because I got a heads up,” said Suyog.

“It’s a really good job because I know that I’m doing something good for the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. I’m really grateful for the job and I’m also enjoying working outside and helping the community.”

“Being supported by this makes us feel like the Government is looking out for international students and people like us. Thank you.”

Find out more about job and training opportunities.