The Labour Mobility Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has organized a two- days “Tok Stori” dialogue with national stakeholders to provide key information on PALM scheme and informed stakeholders on Labour Mobility priorities for 2024.
The event will conclude today and is supported by the Australian Government.
Among the important agenda of the “Tok Stori” is to share to local stakeholders all the information gathered around Labour Mobility, Economics data, worker journey experience, reintegration, best practices that can be learned from, and an update to all stakeholders on the upcoming consultation on the Solomon Islands Labour Mobility Policy review.
Director of the Labour Mobility Unit, Christina Marau said the workshop is about sharing information on the positive impacts of Labour Mobility, challenges and open discussion with stakeholders towards finding collective initiatives to manage Labour Mobility Programs in Solomon Islands.
Attending this workshop are partners from DFAT Canberra, Pacific Labour Facility team, Solomon Islands Support Service, LMU, PALM Returning workers Primary services provider stakeholders, Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Central Bank of Solomon Islands, wider national stakeholders on Labour Mobility, Development agencies, and other relevant organizations with Labour Mobility interests.
To date, 6,721 Solomon Islanders have participated in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, working in a range of industries in Australia, including agriculture, meat processing and aged care.
Since 2023, PALM workers have since sent home around SBD247 million in remittances.
Source: Press Release, MFAET