Vanuatu is loosing its labor; one of the key economical factors, to seasonal work programs.

Chairman of the Vanuatu Primary Producers Authority (VPPA), Mark Bebe, raised this concern during the closing of the National Commodity Forum held in Luganville last week.

Reports and discussions were presented from the livestock, cocoa, and kava sectors, shedding light in the decline of production over recent years.

Mr. Bebe said the growing participation of ni-Vanuatu men and women in overseas labor schemes is one of the major factors in the decline of production of these commercial commodities. 

Bebe continues by urging the government to place some control measures on the programs to protect the local workforce.

“Agriculture is a labor intensive industry. We have to maintain and hold back our youth from going to seasonal work in New Zealand and Australia. If they all go, there will be no one left to work here, and our labor supply will continue to weaken,” says Bebe, CEO of VPPA.

More than 10,000 ni-Vanuatu workers are currently employed in Australia and New Zealand under the RSE and PALM labor schemes, boosting the agriculture and tourism sectors of the 2 country.

While the island of Santo remains one of the government’s key focus areas for developing cattle and kava industries over the next five years, the Department of Labor and Employment Services, reports that over 1,000 workers from Sanma Province alone, are now part of the PALM program in Australia.