HE graduated from Solomon Islands National University (SINU) ten years ago but is still searching for a fulltime job.
Meet 35-year-old Dadly Laua who is now hoping to secure a job overseas through the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) scheme because that’s his only last option.
“I graduated with a Diploma in Business from the Solomon Islands National University in 2014 and I have been applying for a number of vacancies advertised by many businesses, NGOs, and government organizations, but none of them accepted me, let alone called me for an interview,” Laua said.
Laua, from Malaita Province, said it has been eight years now and he is still unable to secure a formal job with his qualification and he feels something is not right as he is not the only one facing the challenge of unemployment.
“I happened to meet some of my classmates and old friends on the streets. They asked me where I am working and I honestly told them with embarrassment that I was jobless,” he said.
Without a job to fend for himself and his family, Laua opted to apply for seasonal work in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) scheme.
He is married and have a 4-year-old son. He attempted to secure a formal job after graduating from SINU, but with no luck.
Now he decides to apply to work in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility scheme.
‘’I have seen a huge number of people in my community, including youths, apply for seasonal work in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility scheme and in New Zealand under the Recognized Seasonal Employers’ scheme and have gone there to work. Some returned home with much money, whilst others with almost nothing may be due to their lifestyle they lived.
“It has never been my intention or interest to go abroad for seasonal work knowing there are many challenges faced by seasonal workers. But having a wife and a 4-year-old son to care for, I have a responsibility to ensure a bright future for my family, I must start doing something to support us. So, applying for a seasonal work came strongly on my mind.”
Laua said, he has wasted enough time looking for a formal job and it is time that he applies for seasonal work to provide for his family.
“Since lack of money is the challenge to pay for my passport, I secured a temporary shopkeeping job in one of the Chinese shops here in Honiara. This is to enable me to pay for my passport. This is now the third month in this job.
‘’I receive a small salary as it depends only on the number of hours that I work but I have managed to save part of my salary for a passport and I’m now ready to apply for one.
“This is the last option that I have. I cannot afford to wait for a permanent job as I have been dreaming of in the last eight years.
‘’There is a huge unemployment problem in Solomon Islands that even those who have graduated from universities cannot secure a formal employment.
By JIMMY NOLAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
