Pacific labour mobility secretariat under consideration

Pacific labour mobility secretariat under consideration

The countries discussed the idea at length during recent regional talks on labour mobility in Honiara.

A regional secretariat is being considered as a vehicle to streamline the systems around how Pacific Islanders participate in seasonal labour in New Zealand and Australia.

About 11,000 Pacific Islanders work in New Zealand's horticulture and viticulture industries each year under the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme.

These workers remit between $US22 million and $US27 million a year to their home countries.