Pacific children left behind and vulnerable due to regional labour mobility schemes

Pacific Islands children are being left behind by their parents, who are taking up opportunities presented by regional labour mobility schemes, increasing concerns about child abuse.  This was a key issue brought up at

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Opinion: New data to inform big decisions around Pacific labour mobility

There has been much discussion about how the rapidly expanding labour mobility programmes in Australia and New Zealand have affected lives in the Pacific. Many have pointed to the significant economic benefits to

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Forum to develop regional strategy on labour mobility

The annual meeting of Trade Ministers from the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji has agreed on the need to develop a regional strategy on labour mobility in the Pacific, citing the welfare of workers from Pacific Island

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Labour mobility a ‘double-edged word’: Samoa Chamber of Commerce President Seulupe

Samoa’s private sector members are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and are unable to take on the added expense of a minimum wage increase while navigating multiple challenges.   That is the view of

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Opinion: Pacific labour mobility over the last year: continued growth

Following the reopening of borders across the Pacific region in mid-2022 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a quick recovery in temporary labour migration flows to Australia and New Zealand. A

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Labour mobility under research spotlight

When Samoa’s Prime Minister told returning seasonal workers last year, “I want Samoa to be a place where people want to live,” it highlighted the dilemma facing not just Samoa, but a number of other Pacific

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Pacific labour mobility: Weaving Fiji-Marshallese links

After six years in the Marshall Islands, Fijian Verenaisi Bavadra says, “I feel to have contributed to the development of education in the Marshall Islands in my own little field.” The Library Director at College of

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Vanuatu reviews immigration and labour policies

Vanuatu’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA) is undertaking a comprehensive review of immigration and labour policies and legislation to create a system that is attractive to investors and benefits the private

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Palau Senate bill eyes changes in labour law

The Palau Senate is eyeing amendments in the existing labour law to allow for a more “progressive labor workforce.” Senate Bill No. 11-82, which was on first reading and referred to a Senate Committee for further

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Workers to head overseas after Samoa lifts labour ban

Samoa’s Cabinet is set to resume sending off workers to the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme, which was suspended for all of January. This was confirmed by Acting Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio,

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FSM reiterates plea for lifting ban on Philippine labour deployment

Micronesian officials have renewed their appeal for the Philippine government to rescind its four-year-old ban on deployment of Filipino workers to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Last week, FSM Justice

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Extension of contracts disallowed: Vanuatu Labour Commissioner

Vanuatu’s Department of Labour and Employment Services, through Commissioner Murielle Meltenoven has announced this week their decision to disallow the extension of contracts for Ni-Vanuatu seasonal workers

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