Papua New Guinea has reportedly waived restrictions hindering the integration of refugees into the job market.
The Post Courier reports the Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority revealing that the government has waived strict protocols requiring mainly work permits and certain restrictions primarily targeting foreigners.
Refugees will now not need to apply for work permits as foreigners - all they need is to obtain their visas and certificate of identity to enter the employment market.
The Authority's acting deputy chief migration officer Clarence Parisau says this means that all refugees in PNG, including those on Manus Island, can apply for jobs just like any other ordinary citizen of PNG.
Mr Parisau also confirmed that the government has removed a provision for the citizenship application fee of $US3,250 for each refugee.
He says that after a refugee has lived in PNG for eight years and has met certain requirements they are welcome to apply for free citizenship.
The easing of the restrictions on job access to refugees comes as lengthy delays continue in the resettlement of refugees processed at the Manus asylum seeker centre.
