Today, approximately 400 participants are gathering in Brisbane for the 2024 Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM). This significant event is conducted under the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility, serving as the premier platform for discussing critical issues pertaining to labour mobility in the Pacific region and promoting collaboration among key stakeholders.
The theme for this year’s PLMAM is “Collectively Building Resilience,” which emphasizes the need for regional cooperation to enhance labour mobility frameworks amid evolving challenges. Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility Secretariat, noted the substantial developments in Pacific labour mobility since the introduction of the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in 2007 and the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in 2012.
Lagolago highlighted that the evolution of these programs is influenced by various factors, such as shifts in the region’s socio-economic landscape, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges posed by climate change. “In this rapidly changing era, the challenge for the Pacific is to continuously build resilience, and we recognize that successfully building resilience requires a cooperative effort by all involved,” he stated.
The four-day event, hosted by the Australian government from November 11-14 at the Pullman Hotel King George Square, will feature discussions aimed at fostering stakeholder collaboration to enhance the resilience of labour mobility. Key focus areas will include ensuring mutual benefits for workers, employers, and regional economies, along with addressing worker wellbeing, skills development, and social security.
Government officials, workers, employers, private sector representatives, unions, civil society organizations, academics, and regional institutions are among those expected to participate in this crucial gathering.
This meeting has the potential to significantly shape the future of labour mobility in the Pacific, offering a platform for shared learning and cooperative solutions that can strengthen communities and economies across the region.
It is an optimistic time for Pacific nations as they engage in meaningful dialogues that can lead to improved resilience in the face of changing global landscapes, ultimately enhancing the lives of workers and fostering sustainable economic growth.
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