“While Vanuatu is listed as second to Tonga in the Seasonal Workers Programme (SWP), I would like to see Vanuatu leading the table in the next season throughout this engagement in the tourism industry and other potential sectors.”
Minister of Internal Affairs and Labour, Hosea Nevu, made the call after he and Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Jeremy Bruer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the Employment Service Unit of the Department of Labour this week, in support of Australia’s latest announcement, allowing employers on Australia’s farms and hotel industry, to recruit as many workers as they want and keep them for as long they are required in the employment industry.
Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abott released the “white paper” on his latest vision to develop Northern Australia on June 18 this year.
The White Paper allows seasonal workers in the hotel industry at a time when some prominent hotels in Port Vila are still closed approximately six months after the destruction by Cyclone Pam.
The Minister said, “I am pleased to confirm that having verified the content of the draft MOU with the Commissioner of Labour (Lionel Kaluat), I have consented my approval of the MOU.
“The signing of this MOU again demonstrates Vanuatu’s commitment with Australia on the expansion of the Seasonal Workers Programme and it is quite timely in the rebuilding phase of the country after Cyclone Pam that Vanuatu take advantage of this relevant sector mentioned to enable workers to go to work in Australia”.
High Commissioner Bruer said, “It is a win win win win situation for Australia andVanuatu because it is a win for Australia and its employment industry and for Vanuatu and its economy”, he said.
“It is true that Vanuatu comes second to Tonga now but I also think that it is fast catching up with Tonga because in the last few months, many more workers from Vanuatu have signed up to work in Australia”.
The High Commissioner wanted to more workers including more women workers to apply to work in Australia.
For the dedicated Commissioner of Labour Lionel Kaluat, he has predicted a time in the not too distant future when the number of workers from Vanuatu which currently stands at approximately 800, would expand to exceed Tonga.