GCU: Solomon Islands Seasonal Workers in New Zealand have impressed their employer for displaying hard work and commitment during their stay in New Zealand.
Owner of JR Orchards, Mr. JR Van Vliet expressed his appreciation when Solomon Islands High Commissioner, H.E. Joy Kere visited his farm on Friday 2nd February.
High Commissioner Kere was accompanied by Sally Waswo, Development Programme Manager for Solomon Islands in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Barbara Wilkinson, a Labour Mobility Advisor.
The JR Orchards is one of the New Zealand employers that directly recruited Solomon Islands workers over the past years without problems.
This is a result of the close and amicable working relationship that JR Orchards have with its recruiting agent in the Solomon Islands.
The JR Orchards currently employs 55 Solomon Islanders. Twenty Solomon Islanders are currently working at the farm in Wairarapa, Wellington region since November 2017. A further 32 workers will arrive on February 20.
Mr. Vliet has preferred to retain most experience workers to ensure there is sustainability and continuity of work.
High Commissioner Kere thanked JR Orchards for the trust and confidence in recruiting Solomon Islanders as well as for the continuous support given over the past years.
Mrs. Kere knowledge the good relationship between the employer and the recruiting agent on the ground.
Meanwhile, in efforts to strengthen Solomon Islands participation in the RSE scheme and more generally, Labour Mobility, Solomon Islands acknowledge the support provided by the New Zealand government for a Labour Mobility Advisor.
Barbara Wilkinson from New Zealand was recently appointed as the Labour Mobility Advisor and she will work closely with the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade to formulate a Labour Mobility Policy for Solomon Islands and to help strengthen the recruitment and internal processes as far as Labour Mobility is concern.
– Government Communications Unit