Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has challenged employers approved under Australia’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme to help recruit 5,000 Solomon Islanders annually for work opportunities in Australia.
According to the Pacific Business Review Wale issued the challenge when he officially opened the inaugural PALM Scheme Approved Employer Expo at the Aquatic Centre in Honiara, bringing together representatives from 25 approved employers, Australian government officials and local labour mobility stakeholders.
“Approved Employers, ensure that our work-ready pool is empty by the end of this week, and the target of 5,000 workers per annum is met.
I challenge you and my team at the Labour Mobility Unit to make these happen,” Wale said.
He said expanding labour mobilitay was among his requests to the Australian government as Solomon Islands seeks to reset and reform its economy while creating more domestic employment opportunities.
Since 2018, more than 13,000 Solomon Islanders have participated in the PALM Scheme across various sectors and industries, supporting their families and communities while contributing to Australian businesses and the economy.
Wale said reaching the annual target would require stronger cooperation between the Solomon Islands and Australian governments, approved employers, training providers and other stakeholders.
Earlier this month, government agencies held an intergovernmental dialogue facilitated by the Labour Mobility Unit to identify structural bottlenecks and discuss ways to improve the labour mobility system.
The priorities include strengthening coordination, ensuring adequate resources and reviewing the National Labour Mobility Policy.
Wale said labour mobility offered benefits beyond employment and income, allowing Solomon Islanders to develop skills and gain industry experience that could be applied in their home communities.
“It enables Solomon Islanders to develop new skills, gain industry experience and bring valuable knowledge and confidence back to their communities,” he said.
He welcomed seven approved employers engaging with Solomon Islands for the first time and urged participating employers to use the expo to better understand the local workforce and establish long-term recruitment partnerships.
Wale said the government aimed to expand labour mobility sustainably, creating meaningful opportunities for Solomon Islanders while meeting the workforce needs of Australian employers and communities.