CSOs raise concerns over proposed tax hikes, retirement funds
On the eve of the first budget of Fiji’s coalition government, civil society organisations say they are disappointed with World Bank recommendations to phase out support for the sugar sector and increase taxation.
New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme: 38,000 workers by 2028?
In an election year, pressure is on for political parties to make policy announcements that capture the public imagination and ultimately garner votes, Charlotte Bedford writes. Inevitably, some surprising promises are
Progress on PALM worker proposal for shearing industry
Pacific islands workers could be working in Australian sheds this Spring if negotiations with the Federal Government and industry groups can be finalised to allow training to start in August. Long-time Pacific Australia
Employers say contract workers abandoning contracts; Using Palau as stepping stone to getting U.S. visas
Several employers in Palau complain that many foreign workers have abandoned their contracts in Palau after getting visas to the United States from the U.S. Embassy in Palau. They claim that obtaining U.S. visas from
PALM departures: 147 workers bound for aged care, horticulture and other jobs
Last week, 147 Fijians underwent pre-departure training prior to working in Australia, amongst them, 56-year-old Ema Navunisaravi, who is going as carer to Western Australia. She says looking after the vulnerable in the
Nauru recruiter team to conduct interviews in Solomon Islands
A team from Nauru will arrive in Honiara Tuesday to interview Solomon Islanders to work in various jobs in Nauru. The recruitment group will be based at Heritage Park Hotel, whilst conducting the interviews. A reliable
Welfare and wellbeing of Samoan seasonal workers in Australia important
Samoa’s Ministry of Labour the immediate safety, welfare, wellbeing of Samoan citizens engaged under temporary labour mobility schemes continues to be of paramount importance. According to the ministry, this has
Guam now has 4,000 H-2B workers
Guam welcomed the 4,000th H-2B worker approved to work on island, representing a record-setting number of foreign workers since the hotel construction boom in 1995. Originally from Quezon City, Philippines, Ronel
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
Australian Coalition to oppose Pacific visa lottery
The Australian federal opposition has ruled out backing a new Pacific visa lottery scheme, labelling it as arbitrary and patronising to the Pacific community at home and abroad. Last month, the government announced
Australia announces 3,000 visas for Pacific workers
A new visa will allow up to 3,000 people from the Pacific region to migrate to Australia as permanent residents each year, under a scheme modelled on a New Zealand immigration programme. The Pacific Engagement Visa has
Hiring of new Bangladesh workers now allowed in Palau
The ban on hiring new workers from Bangladesh in Palau has been lifted under Executive Order No. 478. In 2009, EO 274 prohibited persons from Excluded Countries, including Bangladesh, from entering Palau without a visa.
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
Samoa’s RSE Scheme resumes with 1,200 workers this month
Samoa Cabinet has endorsed new policy guidelines for the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme and 1,200 workers will depart to work in New Zealand and Australia at the end of this month. The New Samoa National
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,
Vineyard manager worried about PNG workers’ pay, jury hears
Pay and visa details that weren’t adding up got a vineyard manager worried about a group of Papua New Guinea workers. The Hawke’s Bay vineyard thought it was getting Recognised Seasonal Employer workers from a
Opinion: Fijian fish workers in foreign owned fishing boats
In the Pacific Island countries including of course Fiji, fishing plays a critical role in people’s livelihoods. Fisherfolks, be they subsistence fishers, artisan fishers, or workers in commercial and industrial
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
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
Global battle for skilled workers
There is an increasingly global battle for skilled workers, said Sara Elder, International Labour Organisation’s Senior Economist. She made the comments at a press conference on the margins of the ILO’s 17th
Opinion: The Pacific Labour Scheme and the Royal Commission into Aged Care
In Suva, new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took a smiling selfie with Fijian aged care workers, who are preparing to come to Australia to look after our elderly in a new pilot program. Raising the standard of aged
Opinion: What do Pacific workers think about Australia’s Engagement Visa?
The new Australia Pacific Engagement Visa has sparked great interest from Pacific workers in Australia, however there is a need for clarification around the details of the scheme, Akka Rimon writes. A major policy of
Vanuatu seasonal workers speak out on mistreatment
A group of Vanuatu seasonal workers in Australia who absconded from their farms have come out to shed light on their working conditions. While they say they regret that their actions have tarnished Vanuatu’s effort in
