IT is expected that up to 6000 Solomon Islanders will leave for Australia and New Zealand under the Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme by the end of this year.
The Governor General, Sir David Vunagi, made the projection in his speech to open the 6th Meeting of the 11th Parliament.
In the Speech from the Throne, Sir David said Solomon Islands is stepping up to its engagement under the Labour Mobility Programme with Australia and New Zealand.
He said by the end of 2023, the country’s seasonal worker numbers under the labour mobility programmes with Australia and New Zealand will hit 6000 and this will see the remittance of millions of dollars to their families and boost the national economy.
Meanwhile, following the increased number of Solomon Islanders being registered under the Work Ready Pool for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, the Immigration Department in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) said it has recorded over 3000 passport applicants within this first quarter of 2023.
“Passport books are now running low. We have already issued 2,000 plus e-passport books out of 7 000 e-passport books procured at the beginning of this year.
“Our team is on track to procure another 5 000 e-passport books for the month of June 2023 and onwards,’’ the Immigration Department said in a recent statement.
Meanwhile, there are reports claiming that many Solomon Islands seasonal workers in Australia are absconding from work due to payment and welfare issues.
Many have fled to other companies in search of better employment contracts.
By ULUTAH GINA
