7 Sep 2011

PNG's govt keen to open its doors to MSG labour mobility scheme

10:34 am on 7 September 2011

Papua New Guinea's government says it's prepared to open its doors to international labour mobility between Melanesian Spearhead Group countries.

The Solomon Star newspaper reports PNG's Prime Minister Peter O'Neil as saying he was satisfied with the recent MSG meeting where Fiji's initiative to push for a volunteer exchange scheme, VES, between the MSG nations was discussed.

Mr O'Neil says that as one of the 'biggest economies' in the South Pacific, PNG needs more skilled people in key industries especially major resource development projects.

Under the proposed MSG scheme retired medical personnel, teachers and professionals would be offered jobs in neighbouring Pacific island countries.

Mr O'Neil says the volunteer scheme would be beneficial to smaller island nations with capacity building problems.