Labour mobility scheme with Australia undergoes ‘rapid growth
Quoting the Island Sun newspaper – 5 February 2019
“THE Labour Mobility Scheme with Australia has reached a phase of rapid growth.
“Speaking at the launching of the scheme in Honiara yesterday, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said they anticipate a rapid increase from our current figures of 169 to exceed 400 by June 2019.
“He said with an estimated 291 workers in the Seasonal Workers Programme (SWP) and 115 workers in the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS).
“He said it is government’s intention that they reach at least 5,000 workers per year in Australia within the next 5 years.
“The SWP engages unskilled workers to work in farms and other industry not requiring skilled workers in Australia.
“PM Houenipwela said workers under this category are given ‘6 months’ work visas after which they return to Solomon Islands.
“Workers in this category often return for further engagements if their employers are impressed with their work ethics and output,” he said.
“The PLS is a new programme that is designed to allow Australian employers in various industries to recruit skilled and semi-skilled workers from Pacific countries to work in Australia.
“PM Houenipwela said workers under this category are given ‘three year’ work visas, after which they return to their home countries.
“A marketing trip undertaken by the SPM and the Permanent Secretary MFAET in December last year to Mildura, has resulted in several more Australian Employers signing on to the PLS to recruit workers from Solomon Islands,” he added.
“PM Houenipwela said recruitment drives for workers under the PLS are scheduled for 7 – 8 February for all industries; 12th February for aged care workers; and 19th February for hospitality workers.
“In the meantime, he said they have consolidated labour mobility schemes in 3 partner countries – New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
“The ‘Recognised Seasonal Employer [RSE]’ scheme we have with New Zealand has now reached 768 seasonal workers.
“We anticipate exceeding 800 workers in New Zealand by June 2019,” he said”
Copyright @ 2019, Island Sun newspaper..
