The Labour Mobility Unit responds to MP Derick Manuari’s concerns over forged documents and calls for stricter oversight.
The Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) has responded to concerns raised by West Makira MP, Derick Manuari, regarding alleged irregularities in the Labour Mobility Scheme.
In a statement, the LMU acknowledged the concerns and reiterated its commitment to fair and transparent processes in the selection of workers for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme.
Manuari had earlier expressed concerns about reports of applicants falsifying school certificates and police clearance documents, calling for stricter oversight to prevent such practices. He also questioned the effectiveness of LMU’s screening mechanisms and called for fairer representation of different regions in the selection process.
The LMU clarified that selection decisions are ultimately made by approved employers based on industry-specific criteria, and the unit does not have the final say on who is chosen. Candidates are screened and placed in the government’s work-ready pool before being considered by employers.
The unit also emphasized that accessing the Labour Mobility Programs is free, with payments required only for passport fees, police clearance, and medical screening by designated service providers. It urged individuals with evidence of irregularities to report them for proper investigation.
Since 2008, 8,203 Solomon Islanders have participated in the PALM Scheme, while 8,501 have worked under the RSE Scheme since 2017. The LMU stated that its processes have gained employer confidence, leading to an increase in worker placements over the years.
The LMU reaffirmed its commitment to continuous improvement and encouraged anyone with concerns about fraudulent documents to report them for verification and investigation.
Source: MFAET
