11 Feb 2019

Hundreds of Solomon Islanders try out for Australia job scheme

From , 4:05 pm on 11 February 2019

More than 1,000 Solomon Islanders are competing for 200 places in a "work ready pool" which could land them jobs in Australia.

The recruitment drive which opened in Honiara on Thursday is being run by the Labour Mobility Unit or LMU within the ministry of foreign affairs and external trade.

Its director, George Tuti, says it is part of Solomon Islands' participation in Australia's new Pacific Labour Scheme.

Mr Tuti told Koroi Hawkins the long queue at the recruitment venue showed there is no shortage in supply of workers for labour mobility schemes both in Australia and New Zealand.

Solomon Islanders at the recruitment drive for Australian jobs

Solomon Islanders at the recruitment drive for Australian jobs Photo: Supplied

 

According to the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade workers from Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu currently have access to the Pacific Labour Scheme.

The ministry said Tonga will be the next country to join the scheme, followed by additional countries including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Timor-Leste.