The Employment Ministry has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to develop the Fiji National Labour Mobility Policy Framework and Strategy. The agreement was signed by Maritino Nemani, Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, and Solomon Kantha, Chief of Mission for IOM, in Suva on Friday.
Nemani emphasized that this signing represents a vital step towards improving labour mobility and promoting sustainable development in Fiji. He noted, “The signing of the MOU showcases our dedication to collaborative efforts in tackling the challenges and opportunities in labour mobility.”
The objective of Fiji’s National Labour Mobility Policy and Strategy is to establish a structured and sustainable framework that benefits both workers and the nation. It aims to enhance the skills and employability of Fijian workers, ensuring their competitiveness in the global job market, while also facilitating opportunities for foreign workers in Fiji.
Additionally, Nemani pointed out that the policy will focus on the protection of workers’ rights and welfare, ensuring fair and dignified treatment for them in their host countries.
Kantha, the IOM Chief of Mission, highlighted the importance of the MOU in strengthening the partnership between IOM and the Employment Ministry. He remarked, “This MOU will enable IOM to provide technical assistance in protecting migrant workers’ rights, conducting research, and building capacity for comprehensive labour migration data collection and analysis, all aimed at reducing poverty and promoting economic growth and human development.”
IOM is currently supporting the Ministry through the project Labour Mobility for Sustainable Development and Climate Resilience in the Pacific, funded by the Migration Partnership Trust Fund and implemented in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) for two years.
Kantha expressed optimism about working closely with the Ministry, reaffirming IOM’s support to Fiji in achieving its national development goals through this partnership.