A maritime labor mobility and shipping registry national roadmap was officially launched in Honiara on Wednesday to maximize labor mobility opportunities for Solomon Islanders in the area of international shipping and fishing industries.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele officially launched the roadmap. The roadmap will guide Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to maximize labor mobility opportunities in maritime through internationally-recognized and skilled labor force as well as an attractive shipping registry.
Government has seen that the maritime sector has the potential to unlock major development opportunities and be a source of sustainable and inclusive employment for its unemployed youths.
With a population expected to reach 1 million in 2023 and 1.30 million in 2050 and made up of 70 percent of persons below 34 years of age, more young people are bound to join the labor market by thousands in the next decades.
SIG is resolved to offer the youth population the best employment opportunities for their personal development and for them to contribute to the national economy.
“Today is not only about the launching but for the Maritime labour and shipping registry national roadmap but also the opportunity for us to celebrate the history and future for our maritime sector in Solomon Islands,” PM Manele said.
He said the maritime sector has the potential to unlock major development opportunities and the sources of sustainable employment and support the productive sectors.
“These sectors will grow as well the population that will reach 1.3 million by 2050.
“Today more than 70 percent of our young people are less than 35 years old.
“More than 20,000 young boys and young girls join the labour market every year. We must offer them opportunities for sustainable employment and personal development,” PM Manele said.
He emphasized that maritime trade can create more jobs in the future and the government is keen to explore these opportunities.
“We want to explore opportunities offered by the maritime sector to create more jobs for our youths and attract more maritime investors.”
He said the roadmap launched is a new national policy under the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) 100 days program.
“We have two transformative initiatives enshrined in today’s them “Build a maritime labour force, build a maritime nation,” the PM added.
PM Manele underscored that the first initiative focuses on upgrading the Maritime College of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and actively promoting maritime careers for Solomon Islands youth.
He said his government wants to provide well recognized qualifications to equip them for employment in the global shipping and fishing industries.
“This presents a unique opportunity to expand our labour mobility scheme to the maritime sector.
“I call upon our development partners to support our enhancement of maritime education and training.
“I urge our private maritime operators to collaborate and employ Solomon Islands seafarers.”
The second initiative is to ensure Solomon Islands flag is internationally recognized and attractive to international maritime operators and investors.
And for this initiative, PM Manele called on development partners and investors to develop the Solomon Islands registry into an international shipping register.
In attendance at the launching event were Cabinet Ministers, government officials and stakeholders, including development partners, members of Maritime Authority Solomon Islands (SIMA) Board, directors and staff of the SIMA and ship operators.
The launch was facilitated by SIMA.
Story and Photos by LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
