Around 400 participants are gathering in Brisbane today for the 2024 Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM), an important event aimed at addressing labour mobility issues in the Pacific region. This annual meeting operates under the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility and is recognized as the leading platform for stakeholders to engage in crucial discussions regarding labour mobility.
The central theme of this year’s meeting, “Collectively Building Resilience,” underscores the necessity of regional collaboration to enhance labour mobility frameworks amid various evolving challenges. Roy Lagolago, Head of Implementation Unit and Labour Mobility Secretariat for PACER Plus, remarked that the landscape of Pacific labour mobility has undergone significant transformations since the launch of the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in 2007 and the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in 2012.
Lagolago attributed this evolution to numerous factors, including the shifting socio-economic conditions in the region, the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change. He emphasized that building resilience in a fast-changing environment requires a cooperative approach from all stakeholders involved.
The four-day event, hosted by the Australian government at the Pullman Hotel King George Square from November 11-14, will facilitate discussions on enhancing collaboration among labour mobility stakeholders. The focus will be on achieving mutual benefits for workers, employers, and regional economies, while addressing vital areas such as worker well-being, skills development, and social security.
Attendees of the PLMAM will include government officials, workers, employers, representatives from the private sector, unions, civil society organizations, academics, and regional institutions. This event serves as a key mechanism for advancing regional labour mobility cooperation, highlighting the importance of sustained dialogue and partnership in addressing labour mobility challenges.
In summary, the 2024 PLMAM represents a significant step forward in strengthening the frameworks surrounding labour mobility in the Pacific region, fostering collaboration among a diverse range of participants. The positive outlook is that with continued discussions and cooperation, stakeholders can work toward more resilient and beneficial labour mobility practices that will support communities throughout the Pacific.
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