Seasonal Worker Programme

While the majority of those who attended were either out of work or laid off, a significant number were people who are already employed but believe they can earn better money picking fruit in Australia.

There are now fears of shortages in the teaching and nursing sectors, if professional workers are allowed to take up seasonal jobs overseas.

Vanuatu's former minister for internal affairs, Andrew Napuat, who presided over the seasonal workers programme in the previous government, is urging the current administration to take steps to restrict who can make the trip.

Australia's High Commissioner in Vanuatu, Sarah Dezoeten, said Australia was prepared to take on even more ni-Vanuatu workers in the new year.

Currently around 3,000 ni-Vanuatu are engaged in seasonal work in Australia.

RNZ Pacific reports Australia's High Commissioner in Vanuatu, Sarah Dezoeten, said Australia was prepared to take on even more ni-Vanuatu workers in the new year.

The assistant minister for international development and the Pacific, Anne Ruston, said under Australia's pledge to step up its relationship with Pacific nations it recognised that labour mobility was a key issue for them.

This was reflected in the 40 percent annual growth of the seasonal worker scheme, while a new Pacific labour scheme would also bring in 2000 workers over the next year, she said.

This will increase employment opportunities for Vanuatu's workers in Australia and help fill critical labour gaps in Australia's rural and regional areas.

It's one of the outcomes of today's meeting between the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Charlot Salwai and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra.

In 2017, the number of Vanuatu workers in Australia reached 2,150, who brought in over Vt1 billion to the Vanuatu economy.

Vanuatu began sending workers under the Seasonal Worker Programme around 2009/2010.

The Seasonal Worker Programme has employed 17,320 Pacific Islanders since 2012 and delivered approximately $US110 million in net income gains to the region.

The report, launched in Canberra, outlined a series of 11 Policy recommendations which would lead to greater benefits across the region from Australia's Seasonal Worker Programme.

The World Bank's Jesse Doyle said this included helping Pacific workers utilise cheaper ways of sending money home, increased participation for women and improved opportunities for countries with lower participation.