The number of workers Vanuatu is sending overseas is higher than any other country in the Pacific region.

Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat, made the statement following a meeting that discussed challenges faced by seasonal workers abroad.

In Nadi, Fiji, Pacific Labour Ministers agreed to raise the issue of labour mobility governance to the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meetingin Solomon Islands this week.

“We will elevate labour governance to a level that will establish a senior labour officers’ forum. This will create a platform for countries in the region to discuss the labour mobility challenges they face,” Minister Napuat said.

According to the PALM Scheme Data Report (December 2024 quarter), Vanuatu is leading the Pacific with 5,705 workers in Australia, followed by Fiji with 4,770 and Solomon Islands with 3,845.

Minister Napuat noted that other countries are also increasing their participation and facing similar challenges, and the step taken in Fiji is about working together on labour mobility programs.

“We have pilots, teachers, nurses moving across borders. One day, if we see even bigger numbers from Asia or the Solomon Islands, we need to ensure a forum exists where such issues can be discussed at a regional level,” he said.

At the same time, Vanuatu and its Tripartite Council consisting of the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Vanuatu Teachers’ Union (VTU) and government met with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Fiji to seek support for drafting and implementing labour mobility programs.

“There are many welfare and wellbeing issues for workers that must be addressed. Now the council can sit with government and ILO to raise these matters and explore how we can continue working together,” Minister Napuat said.

He stressed that the meeting was an important step toward building stronger regional governance on labour mobility and reaffirmed that Vanuatu will continue to make its voice strong in future regional meetings.