What is the Pacific Labour Mobility Programme?
The Pacific Labour Mobility Programme is a regional initiative that allows citizens of Pacific island countries, including Papua New Guinea (PNG), to work temporarily in Australia and New Zealand (A&NZ) under various schemes. These schemes include:
- The Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP): This scheme allows workers from PNG and other Pacific countries to work in the agriculture, accommodation, and tourism sectors in Australia for up to nine months in a year1.
- The Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS): This scheme allows workers from PNG and other Pacific countries to work in low and semi-skilled occupations in rural and regional Australia for up to three years2.
- The Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE): This scheme allows workers from PNG and other Pacific countries to work in the horticulture and viticulture sectors in New Zealand for up to seven months in an 11-month period3.
The Pacific Labour Mobility Programme aims to provide opportunities for decent work, income, skills development, and remittances for Pacific workers and their families, while also addressing labour shortages and supporting economic growth in A&NZ. The programme is based on mutual benefits, respect, and partnership among the participating countries.
Why should Papua New Guineans consider working overseas?
Working overseas under the Pacific Labour Mobility Programme can offer many benefits for Papua New Guineans who are looking for employment, income, and career development. Some of the benefits are:
- Employment: The programme can provide access to jobs that are in demand and well-paid in A&NZ, especially in sectors that are facing labour shortages due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The programme can also provide a pathway to longer-term employment opportunities in A&NZ or elsewhere.
- Income: The programme can provide a stable and reliable source of income for workers and their families, which can help them improve their living standards, savings, investments, and financial security. The programme can also enable workers to send remittances back home, which can support their communities and the national economy.
- Skills development: The programme can provide opportunities for workers to learn new skills, gain experience, and improve their qualifications, which can enhance their employability and productivity. The programme can also facilitate skills transfer and knowledge exchange between workers and employers in A&NZ and PNG.
- Cultural exchange: The programme can provide opportunities for workers to experience different cultures, lifestyles, and environments in A&NZ, which can broaden their horizons, perspectives, and networks. The programme can also foster mutual understanding, respect, and friendship among workers and employers in A&NZ and PNG.
How can Papua New Guineans apply for working overseas?
Papua New Guineans who are interested in working overseas under the Pacific Labour Mobility Programme need to follow certain steps and meet certain requirements. Some of the steps and requirements are:
- Register with the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU): The LMU is an independent unit within the Department of Treasury that is responsible for coordinating PNG’s participation in the Pacific Labour Mobility Programme. The LMU provides information, guidance, and support to prospective workers and employers throughout the process. To register with the LMU, prospective workers need to fill out an online application form on the LMU website: https://www.pngworkers.org/png-lmu/apply-now/.
- Meet the eligibility criteria: To be eligible for working overseas under the Pacific Labour Mobility Programme, prospective workers need to meet certain criteria, such as age, health, character, education, skills, experience, etc. The criteria may vary depending on the scheme, sector, occupation, employer, and destination country. The LMU can advise prospective workers on the specific criteria for each opportunity.
- Undergo screening and selection: Prospective workers need to undergo screening and selection by the LMU, the employers, and the destination country authorities. The screening and selection process may involve interviews, tests, checks, references, etc. The screening and selection process aims to ensure that the workers are suitable, qualified, and ready for working overseas. The LMU can assist prospective workers in preparing for the screening and selection process.
- Obtain the necessary documents: Prospective workers need to obtain the necessary documents for working overseas, such as passports, visas, contracts, insurance, etc. The documents may vary depending on the scheme, sector, occupation, employer, and destination country. The LMU can help prospective workers in obtaining the necessary documents and complying with the relevant laws and regulations.
- Participate in pre-departure training: Prospective workers need to participate in pre-departure training before leaving for working overseas. The pre-departure training covers topics such as work rights and responsibilities, health and safety, cultural awareness, financial literacy, etc. The pre-departure training aims to equip the workers with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and cope in their overseas employment. The LMU can arrange and facilitate the pre-departure training for prospective workers.
- Travel and settle in: Prospective workers need to travel and settle in their destination country and workplace. The LMU can coordinate and support the travel and settlement arrangements for prospective workers, such as flights, transfers, accommodation, orientation, etc. The LMU can also provide ongoing support and monitoring to the workers during their overseas employment.
What are some tips and advice for Papua New Guineans working overseas?
For Papua New Guineans who are working overseas or planning to work overseas under the Pacific Labour Mobility Programme, here are some tips and advice:
- Be professional and respectful: Working overseas is a privilege and an opportunity that comes with responsibilities and expectations. Workers should be professional and respectful in their work attitude, behaviour, and performance. Workers should follow the rules and regulations of their employer, workplace, and destination country. Workers should also respect the culture, customs, and values of their host community and country.
- Be adaptable and resilient: Working overseas can be challenging and stressful at times. Workers may face difficulties and problems such as language barriers, culture shock, homesickness, isolation, discrimination, exploitation, etc. Workers should be adaptable and resilient in coping with these challenges and finding solutions. Workers should seek help and support from their employer, co-workers, friends, family, or the LMU when needed.
- Be smart and safe: Working overseas can also be risky and dangerous at times. Workers may encounter hazards and threats such as accidents, injuries, illnesses, crimes, conflicts, disasters, etc. Workers should be smart and safe in avoiding or minimizing these risks and protecting themselves. Workers should follow the health and safety guidelines of their employer, workplace, and destination country. Workers should also keep their documents and valuables secure and report any incidents or issues to their employer or the LMU as soon as possible.
- Be ambitious and proactive: Working overseas can also be rewarding and fulfilling at times. Workers may enjoy benefits and opportunities such as income, skills, experience, networks, etc. Workers should be ambitious and proactive in maximizing these benefits and opportunities and advancing their careers. Workers should seek feedback and improvement from their employer, co-workers, or the LMU. Workers should also explore learning and development opportunities such as training, courses, mentoring, etc. Workers should also plan and manage their finances and remittances wisely and responsibly.
How can Wantokjobs.com help Papua New Guineans working overseas?
Wantokjobs.com is a website that connects employers and job seekers in PNG. It offers various features and services that can help Papua New Guineans working overseas or returning from overseas. Some of them are:
- Job search: Wantokjobs.com allows job seekers to search for jobs in PNG based on various criteria, such as location, category, salary, experience, etc. Job seekers can also create their own profiles, upload their resumes, apply for jobs online, save their favorite jobs, etc. Job seekers can also receive email alerts when new jobs matching their preferences are posted.
- Job matching: Wantokjobs.com uses an advanced algorithm to match employers and job seekers based on their profiles, preferences, skills, qualifications, etc. This helps job seekers to find the most relevant jobs for their careers and helps employers to find the most suitable candidates for their vacancies.
- Job advice: Wantokjobs.com provides useful tips and resources for job seekers on various topics related to employment, such as how to write a resume, how to prepare for an interview, how to negotiate a salary, how to transition from overseas work to local work, etc. This helps job seekers to improve their chances of success in the job market.
- Job feedback: Wantokjobs.com allows job seekers and employers to give and receive feedback on their experiences with each other. This helps job seekers and employers to learn from their mistakes, improve their performance, and build their reputation in the job market.
Wantokjobs.com is a valuable partner for Papua New Guineans working overseas or returning from overseas in finding the best jobs for their careers in PNG.
Conclusion
The Pacific Labour Mobility Programme is a great opportunity for Papua New Guineans who are looking for employment, income, and career development overseas. The programme provides access to various schemes that allow workers to work temporarily in A&NZ in different sectors and occupations. The programme also provides benefits such as skills development, remittances, cultural exchange, etc. However, the programme also poses challenges such as environmental and social impacts, governance issues, Covid-19 effects, etc. Therefore, Papua New Guineans who are interested in working overseas or who are already working overseas need to follow certain steps and meet certain requirements to apply for the programme. They also need to follow some tips and advice to succeed and cope in their overseas employment. They also need to plan and prepare for their return and reintegration in PNG. Wantokjobs.com can help Papua New Guineans working overseas or returning from overseas in finding the best jobs for their careers in PNG.
