A report looking at the impact of labour mobility schemes on children in four Pacific nations has found that while the remittances they generate are critical in supporting families, the schemes are placing physical and emotional strain on the carers these workers leave behind.
The UNICEF report, which looks at the impact of Pacific mobility schemes on children in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, also notes that while the schemes enable workers to acquire new skills and knowledge which they can bring home to contribute to local economies, there are sometimes gaps between the expected and actual remittances received by families, due to the high cost of living abroad.
The report stresses the importance of digital tools to keep communication flowing between workers and their families, but notes that in remote areas, poor connectivity and high telecommunications costs hamper this communication.
“Communication challenges are particularly acute in Solomon Islands’ villages, where families struggle with nighttime communication due to safety concerns and poor connectivity. Parents working abroad must coordinate specific times to call through other villagers who are online,” the report’s authors note.
It recommends families be involved in pre-departure training, so they are better prepared for long separation.
UNICEF says Vanuatu’s week-long ‘Famili i Redi’ program run by World Vision and the International Office of Migration is a good model, while acknowledging that: “While the program receives positive feedback, its voluntary nature and longer duration make attendance challenging compared to the standard two-day ministry course.”
Caregivers and children left behind
The report says that the labour schemes can place emotional strain on caregivers, who are often grandparents or other extended family members, and have seen some gender roles shift, as more men migrate. They also note the increasing number of older children stepping into caregiving roles, and the subsequent disruption to their schooling.
UNICEF observes that “Samoa has made some unique efforts to include local pastors, chiefs, and elders in supporting families left behind in villages, particularly regarding mental health and well-being. However, youth participants report significant concerns about marital breakdown and new relationships formed overseas, noting the contrast between material benefits (like houses and cars) and family stability. Some cases involve complex situations where children refuse to attend school following parental separation.”
Across all the countries examined, UNICEF notes the need for better coordination amongst authorities, improved legal frameworks to protect children’s interests, the need for better money management training and improved counselling services.
UNICEF says Pacific governments and development partners should invest in monitoring and early intervention services for child protection and well-being, and that there “needs to be a collective effort in developing programmes focusing on empowering women and providing skill development for the elderly, due to the absence of male family members”.
Finally, it adds that in the case of family breakdown, “social protection initiatives need to be made available in an agile manner” so families left behind are not forced into poverty.
