Approximately 400 participants are set to gather in Brisbane today for the 2024 Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM). This significant event, conducted under the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility, serves as the main forum in the Pacific region to address challenges related to labor mobility and to enhance cooperation among key stakeholders.
This year’s theme, “Collectively Building Resilience,” emphasizes the critical need for regional collaboration to strengthen labor mobility frameworks amidst evolving challenges. Roy Lagolago, Head of Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility Secretariat at PACER Plus, noted the substantial evolution of Pacific labor mobility since the establishment of the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in 2007 and the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in 2012, a continuation of the Seasonal Worker Programme.
Lagolago pointed out that this evolution has been driven by various factors, including shifts in the region’s socio-economic structures, the impacts of the COVID pandemic, and the challenges presented by climate change. He underscored the importance of building resilience in this changing landscape, highlighting that a collaborative effort from all stakeholders is essential for success.
Over the next four days, the meeting will involve discussions focused on how various Pacific labor mobility stakeholders can work together to enhance the resilience of labor mobility. Key topics will include ensuring mutual benefits for workers, employers, and regional economies, as well as addressing issues surrounding worker wellbeing, skills development, and social security.
The Australian government is hosting the 2024 PLMAM, which will occur from November 11-14 at the Pullman Hotel King George Square. Attendees will include government officials, workers, employers, representatives from the private sector, unions, civil society organizations, academics, and regional institutions.
The PLMAM is a crucial component of the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility, functioning as a pathway for advancing regional cooperation in labor mobility.
In summary, the 2024 PLMAM is a vital event that not only discusses present challenges but also strives to build a more resilient and cooperative future for labor mobility in the Pacific. This collective approach can foster a brighter economic future for workers across the region.
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