Workers disengaging from their employers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme in New Zealand and the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) program is among the key issues being discussed at the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM) 2025 in Honiara.
Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, Roy Lagolago, confirmed this to local media after the official opening of the meeting at the Aquatic Centre in East Honiara on Tuesday.
“Workers disengaged from their employers — I think that’s the big thing we need to look at, especially for the welfare of our people,” Mr Lagolago said.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that Pacific workers are properly cared for while employed overseas.
“People leave our shores. We want them to be looked after when they go into a foreign land. I think that’s really important,” he said.
Mr Lagolago also highlighted the need for employers to understand the cultural values of Pacific Islanders.
“We’re all about culture. I think it’s important that when employers take on our people, they understand our culture, understand who we are as Pasifika. That’s really important for us,” he said.
He said the meeting aims to ensure that worker disengagement is minimised and that Pacific workers remain safe and supported while abroad.
“It’s a really useful session for countries to express their issues or concerns in relation to labour mobility. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to come together,” Mr Lagolago said.
He added that discussions will also focus on workers’ welfare, reintegration into their home communities, and the broader economic benefits of labour mobility.
“When workers travel to Australia and New Zealand, they’re generally well looked after and typically do well,” he said.
“The economic benefits from labour mobility are also significant, and that’s something we need to keep strengthening for our Pacific people.”
This year’s meeting, themed “Sustainable Reintegration Begins with Fair and Effective Recruitment,” brings together government officials, employers, and worker representatives to promote fair recruitment and sustainable reintegration across Pacific labour mobility programmes.
Organised by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), which also serves as the Labour Mobility Secretariat, PLMAM is the region’s premier platform for collaboration on labour mobility issues.
The 2025 meeting will focus on regional approaches to worker recruitment, selection, pre-departure preparation, mobilisation, welfare, and reintegration — with discussions emphasising fair and ethical practices that ensure lasting benefits for both workers and their communities.
The PLMAM 2025 meeting continues on Wednesday and ends Thursday in Honiara.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
