6th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum Ni-Vanuatu In The Australian Labour Market Ni-Vanuatu in the Australian Labour Market - 6AVB 28Feb2019_Regenvanu

Vanuatu Labour Mobility Program Up to 18,000 seasonal workers available for Australia and New Zealand 6,000 (SWP & PLS-AUS) and 12,000 (RSE-NZ) Eleven Years of Success (2007-2018) Inception 2007 with the start of the RSE-NZ SWP launched in 2009 Employment opportunities Growth of rural and village economies Improved household income and standard of living Affordable schooling Small business ventures Ni-Vanuatu in the Australian Labour Market - 6AVB 28Feb2019_Regenvanu

ELEVEN YEARS OF sUCCESS (2007-2018) Between 2007 to 2017, Vanuatu exported a total of: 28,148 RSE workers to New Zealand 4,357 SWP workers to Australia respectively By 2016/2017 remittances valued at VT1.07 billion (SWP) and VT1.6 billion (RSE) Contribution to overall GDP Notable Challenges Rising incidents of inconsistent recruitment practices Increasing incidents and reports of worker behaviour and performance Reports of employer-worker disputes on working conditions and fair wages Ni-Vanuatu in the Australian Labour Market - 6AVB 28Feb2019_Regenvanu

Labour Mobility in 2018 Labour Mobility in 2018 March Labour Mobility Summit explored possibilities for expansion Taskforce established to develop the Vanuatu Labour Mobility Policy October - AUS-Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) recruits semi-skilled labour category Employment opportunities for mid-level skilled workers Recruitment agent licenses increased to over 100 Institutional strengthening with the Department of Labour and Employment Services Unit Pacific Labour Scheme welcomed the first deployment of over 20 workers in Nov-Dec 2018 Vanuatu achieves “NO 1” status as top sending country to Australia Ni-Vanuatu in the Australian Labour Market - 6AVB 28Feb2019_Regenvanu

Issues FOR FORTHCOMING POLICY Superannuation facility and absence of a fund management mechanism in NZ and AUS Role of the National Workers Union (in Australia and in Vanuatu) Inconsistency with travel costs and transition for workers Issue of Agents charging fees to workers; charged at varying levels Licensing of Agents Capacity and competency in the management and recruitment arrangements Ni-Vanuatu in the Australian Labour Market - 6AVB 28Feb2019_Regenvanu

2019 OUTLOOK Expand and consider new markets: US, North America, Regional Robust Labour Mobility Policy Strong and efficient recruitment framework Established Superannuation arrangements under VNPF Improved Qualification Framework to address PLS requirements More efficient and qualified work-ready pool for infrastructure works Increased remittances Ministry of Agriculture rolls out rehabilitation of rural plantations and food gardens Efficient and effective management by Government Employment of Liaison Officers to support and ensure pastoral care to workers Ni-Vanuatu in the Australian Labour Market - 6AVB 28Feb2019_Regenvanu

THANK YOU Ni-Vanuatu in the Australian Labour Market - 6AVB 28Feb2019_Regenvanu