The Employment Ministry of Fiji 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 MOU was signed by Maritino Nemani, the Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, and Solomon Kantha, the Chief of Mission of IOM, in Suva on Friday.
Nemani described the signing as a significant milestone in improving labour mobility and promoting sustainable development in Fiji. He emphasized that this agreement exemplifies the commitment to work collaboratively in tackling the challenges and opportunities related to labour mobility.
The initiative aims to establish a structured and sustainable approach to labour mobility that benefits both workers and the nation as a whole. It will focus on enhancing the skills and employability of Fijian workers, making them more competitive in the global labor market while also providing foreign workers with opportunities to find employment in Fiji.
Furthermore, Nemani pointed out that the policy is designed to protect workers’ rights and well-being, ensuring they are treated fairly and with respect in their host countries. Kantha also noted the importance of the MOU in strengthening the partnership between IOM and the Employment Ministry.
He stated that the MOU will facilitate IOM’s role in providing technical assistance related to the protection of migrant workers’ rights, conducting research, and building capacity for analyzing comprehensive labor migration data. The overarching goals include poverty alleviation, economic growth, and human development.
IOM is currently collaborating with the Ministry under the project titled Labour Mobility for Sustainable Development and Climate Resilience in the Pacific, which is funded by the Migration Partnership Trust Fund and will be jointly implemented with the International Labour Organization (ILO) over a period of 24 months. Kantha expressed eagerness to continue working closely with the Ministry and reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to support the Fijian government in achieving its national development goals through this partnership.