Solomon Islands PALM Scheme workers send up to SBD500 million home, supporting families and communities through remittances.
By Steven Kamoa
Solomon Islands workers participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme contribute an estimated SBD $400 million to $500 million in remittances to local households, supporting families and communities across the country.
Prime Minister Matthew Wale highlighted the economic contribution of labour mobility during the inaugural PALM Scheme Approved Employers Expo at the Aquatic Centre in Honiara.
In his speech, Wale referred to remittance figures and said approximately SBD $507 million had been sent home by labour mobility workers.
“For Solomon Islands, the labour mobility scheme is much more than an employment program,” Wale said.
“It is a development partnership that is transforming lives, strengthening families and creating opportunities for our communities.”
The money workers send home helps support household expenses and families in communities across Solomon Islands.
Wale said the benefits of the scheme extended beyond remittances, with workers gaining skills, industry experience and knowledge that could benefit the country when they returned home.
Since 2018, more than 13,000 Solomon Islanders have participated in the PALM Scheme.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Jeff Roach said the scheme had expanded significantly since its early stages.
He said labour mobility could provide economic benefits for both Australia and Solomon Islands.
“One is the sheer logic of the economic logic of what sits behind the scheme and how something like this can deliver shared wins for both Australia and Solomon Islands,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cath Cave, Executive Officer of Approved Employers of Australia (AEA), said employers remained committed to working with the Solomon Islands Government to expand employment opportunities for local workers.
Speaking to Tavuli News, Cave said the expo provided an opportunity for employers and government representatives to discuss the programme and strengthen cooperation.
“Our employers are really committed to continuing to work constructively with the Solomon Islands Government and the Solomon Islands people to really provide great opportunities for workers and Solomon Island citizens to come to Australia,” Cave said.
The inaugural expo brought together representatives from 25 approved employers, including seven employers engaging with Solomon Islands for the first time.
Wale said the Government aimed to enable 5,000 Solomon Islanders each year to participate in labour mobility programmes. He called on employers and the Labour Mobility Unit to work towards achieving the target.
The Government is also working to improve coordination among relevant agencies and review the National Labour Mobility Policy to strengthen the system.
Wale said continued cooperation between the Solomon Islands and Australian governments, employers, workers and communities would be important in supporting the long-term economic and social benefits of the scheme for both countries.
