1. 6th Australia Vanuatu Business Forum
Ni-Vanuatu In The Australian Labour Market
Ni-Vanuatu in the Australian Labour Market - 6AVB 28Feb2019_Regenvanu

2. 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 ( )
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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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