Around 400 participants are gathering 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 leading platform in the Pacific region for addressing labor mobility concerns and fostering collaboration among essential stakeholders.
The theme for PLMAM 2024, “Collectively Building Resilience,” emphasizes the critical role of regional cooperation in strengthening labor mobility frameworks amidst various evolving challenges. Roy Lagolago, Head of the Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility Secretariat at PACER Plus, noted the considerable 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, which evolved from the Seasonal Worker Programme.
Lagolago pointed out that several factors have influenced this evolution, including shifts in socio-economic structures, the impact of the COVID pandemic, and the ongoing effects of climate change. He stressed that building resilience in the Pacific requires a unified approach from all involved parties.
Over four days, the meeting will focus on how stakeholders in the Pacific labor mobility sector can work together to enhance resilience, ensuring that workers, employers, and economies across the region all benefit. Key topics will include worker well-being, skills development, and social security.
Hosted by the Australian government, the 2024 PLMAM is taking place from November 11-14 at the Pullman Hotel King George Square. Attendees include government officials, workers, employers, private sector representatives, unions, civil society organizations, academia, and regional institutions, indicating a comprehensive approach to labor mobility cooperation in the Pacific.
This gathering not only underscores the importance of collective action in addressing labor mobility challenges but also presents an opportunity to create a more resilient labor market that supports economic growth and worker welfare across the region.
In summary, the 2024 PLMAM serves as a vital meeting point for stakeholders to enhance collaboration and resilience in the field of labor mobility, demonstrating a proactive approach to the challenges facing the Pacific region today.
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