Solomon Islands and Australia have committed to a new understanding to foster greater cooperation and increase joint efforts in seasonal labour mobility.
The MoU between the Government of Australia and the Government of Solomon Islands in support of the Seasonal Workers Programme was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade Milner Tozaka and Minister for Tourism and International Education and Assistant Minister of Trade and Employment Senator, Richard Colbeck on 29th February at the margins of the 2nd High Level Pacer Plus Meetings in Brisbane.
Solomon Islands was initially invited to participate in Australia’s labour mobility programme in 2012.
Almost four years on, the seasonal workers programme has evolved corresponding to Australia’s shift in policy towards labour mobility for Pacific Islands countries.
In June 2015, the Australian Government announced removal of caps on recruitment of workers from Pacific Islands countries under the Seasonal Worker Programme in the Horticulture sector.
In addition, in February this year, the Government of Australia further announced the Seasonal Worker Programme’s extension to other areas of the Agricultural sector to include livestock, cane, cotton and opening of labour markets for aquaculture and accommodation sectors.
The revised MoU hopes to provide a robust mechanism to effectively manage the Seasonal Worker Programme by implementing authorities of both Governments, moreover allow for Solomon Islands to take advantage of the Programme’s expansion.
Both ministers highlighted that the Pacer Plus negotiations are progressing well and underscored labour mobility as a crucial component of the proposed comprehensive agreement.
The arrangement on labour mobility is premised on genuine partnership and cooperation between Australia and New Zealand and the Pacific Island countries.
In his remarks at the signing ceremony, Tozaka acknowledged the support of the Government of Australia in maintaining its commitment to promote regional economic development through the seasonal worker programme.
He further expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of Australia for providing ordinary Solomon Islanders the opportunity to undertake seasonal employment in Australia.
Tozaka, the lead spokeperson of the Forum Islands countries is currently chairing the 2nd High Level Pacer Plus Meetings, in which updates on the progress towards the anticipated conclusion of negotiations on Pacer Plus is being provided to Forum Islands countries by the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor, based in Port Vila.
Tozaka was accompanied by Acting Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Joseph Ma’ahanua, and Fiona Indu from the Solomon Islands High Commission, Canberra.
