The government is urging greater participation from traditional communities, known as vanua, in preparing villagers for overseas job opportunities under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
Maritino Nemani, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Employment, stressed the importance of a collaborative approach that combines the efforts of families, communities, and the government. He stated, “We need to involve the families, we need to involve the vanua.”
Mr. Nemani pointed out the significance of engaging residents in rural areas, who often make up a large portion of potential workers. He noted that registration forms for those seeking employment abroad now require families to indicate the number of children they have. This change aims to gain insights into the familial responsibilities of workers and the implications of their absence.
Additionally, Mr. Nemani announced improvements to the pre-departure training for workers, extending its duration from four days to two weeks. This enhancement is intended to ensure a more thorough preparation process for workers before they travel overseas.