The Government of New Zealand has pledged TOP$2 million (US$912,000) assistance to Tonga.
CEO of Internal Affairs, ‘Ana Bing Fonua said the assistance will facilitate procedures for selecting appropriate candidates for the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) programme.
Radio Tonga reports it includes reviewing the core functions of the offices in charge of collaboration with the town offices to identify eligible candidates for the RSE programme.
"The main focus area for this plan first is the policy, in the absence of the Labor policy for Tonga that was made in the last 10 years. It is extremely important that the policies are put in place.
"We are also mobilising a review team to take a holistic view of the whole programme. This includes the operation, the management, the processes and the procedures as well as establishing standard national procedures and reviewing the work post so that we can better screen and have already a work pool that is desirable to the employers.
"I think one of the important things we've included is the gender-focus area, to increase the participation of women in the seasonal worker programme. This second phase also focuses on expanding and advancing into other employment sectors particularly semi-skilled and skilled, said Fonua.
This is an outcome of the Strengthening Pacific Partnership Phase II Conference, held in New Zealand last week.
More than 10, 000 Tongans have joined the RSE programme since it started.