Pacific labour scheme

Miss Koso met with the Australian High Commission’s Second Secretary, Leon Braun Wednesday, who congratulated her and wished her all the best.

 Mr Braun, who manages Australia’s labour mobility programmes in Tonga said, “This is an exciting moment for both our countries.

“The Pacific Labour Scheme opens up great opportunities for Tongans to earn income and learn new skills in Australia for up to three years, and is helping Australian employers in a variety of industries overcome regional labour shortages.”

This scheme gives Papua New Guineans the opportunity to attain low to semi-skilled jobs in Australia.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne, announced this on November 16^th in Port Moresby, following the 30^th APEC Ministerial Meeting.

The Minister said the Australian government’s decision is to increase engagement in the region.

“Our Pacific Labour Scheme will be progressively now rolled out across key Pacific island countries, up from the current six nations who are the current participants,” she said.

RNZ reports the RSE scheme will now increase by 1,000 workers to 10,500 for the coming horticulture and viticulture season.

The Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said the sector was forecasting an additional 2,500 workers would be needed for the upcoming season.

The RSE scheme allows people from Pacific Island countries to work in New Zealand for periods of about six months at a time.