The Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Solomon Kantha, and the Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Maritino Nemani, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last Friday to enhance the Fiji National Labour Mobility Policy Framework and Strategy.
Nemani noted that the signing marks a significant milestone in efforts to enhance labor mobility and foster sustainable development in Fiji. He highlighted, “The MOU’s signature is a testament to our commitment to collaborative endeavors in addressing the opportunities and challenges associated with labor mobility.”
The initiative aims to develop a structured and sustainable approach to labor mobility that benefits both workers and the nation as part of Fiji’s National Labour Mobility Policy and Strategy. The program also seeks to improve the skills and employability of Fijian workers, increasing their competitiveness in the global labor market while supporting foreign workers seeking job opportunities in Fiji.
Additionally, Nemani stressed that the policy will focus on safeguarding the rights and welfare of workers, ensuring they are treated fairly and respectfully in their host countries.
Kantha further highlighted the significance of the MOU in strengthening collaboration between IOM and the Employment Ministry. “This MOU will enable IOM to provide technical assistance to protect the rights of migrant workers, conduct research, and enhance capacity in gathering and analyzing labor migration data, as well as support counter-trafficking efforts,” he explained.
IOM, with funding from the Migration Partnership Trust Fund, is currently working alongside the Ministry on the project “Labour Mobility for Sustainable Development and Climate Resilience in the Pacific,” a 24-month initiative conducted in partnership with the ILO. As part of this project, IOM will assist Fiji in developing its national labor mobility policy and strategy.
Kantha expressed eagerness to work closely with the Ministry, reaffirming IOM’s commitment to assist the Fijian government in achieving its development goals through this MOU.
In this context, the Employment Permanent Secretary thanked IOM for its assistance and dedication to the Government of Fiji, as well as for sharing its expertise and resources to enhance the country’s labor mobility programs and initiatives.