By Loretta B Manele

Solomon Islands is gearing up in preparation for the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM) set to commence in November this year.

According to the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), they are in Honiara to begin preparations for the PLMAM in collaboration with the Solomon Islands government.

Hickson George, Deputy Secretary for the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) is enthusiastic for the upcoming meeting.

He expressed that labour mobility is a development priority for the government and they are very excited to welcome labour mobility stakeholders from across the region to the shores of Solomon Islands in November.

George said Solomon Islands was one of the late comers to labour mobility as the country only came onboard the Pacific labour mobility schemes to Australia in 2019.

“However, in a very short time it has grown tremendously as a labour sending country and we are excited to be sharing some of the best practices that we have adopted and also to learn from our other neighbouring Pacific islands and partners”.

Discussions this week will take into consideration the dates and key issues to be deliberated during PLMAM 2025 and how the forum can improve in fostering regional labour mobility cooperation.

Alisi Kautoke Holani, Labour Mobility Specialist for PPIU stressed on the importance of collaborative efforts.

She said labour mobility has proven to be a transformative driver of socio-economic development in the region but also has its challenges.

“The PLMAM serves as the leading regional platform to address these challenges and promote mutual benefits by sharing best practices, exploring innovative solutions and strengthening effective partnerships across all Pacific labour mobility stakeholders”.

The PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) as the Labour Mobility Secretariat and Secretariat to PLMAM will be supporting the Solomon Islands government in its preparation towards hosting the annual meeting set for this November.

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