Ten Bougainvillean women depart for Australia under the Labour Mobility Scheme
Ten Bougainvillean women will commence work on an Australian berry farm under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. They represent the first cohort of Bougainvilleans to deploy to Australia under the scheme.
Australia has worked closely with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the PNG Government Labour Mobility Unit, and the PNG Government MPs from Bougainville to support this important initiative.
Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Jon Philp said, “In January 2023, we set out to identify hard-working, diligent young Bougainvilleans to be the first to represent their region through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. It is clear we have achieved that.
“Through PALM, workers from across the Pacific are developing valuable skills and earning an income to send back to their families and communities. They are filling workforce shortages across industries in Australia, including in agriculture, food processing, and aged care.
“These remarkable women are, we hope, the first of many Bougainvilleans who will travel to Australia under the scheme.”
The Bougainville Labour Mobility initiative is a collaboration between the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the PNG Government, and Australia, to increase the number of Bougainvilleans participating in the PALM scheme. Since work began in January 2023, more than one hundred Bougainvilleans have been selected to join the PNG LMU work-ready pool.
Shirley Philips from North Bougainville is one of the ten women selected to deploy to Australia. On behalf of the group, she thanked the Australian Government for the PALM opportunity during a farewell afternoon tea at the Australian High Commission.
Labour mobility is an important driver of economic growth and one of the most effective ways to support individuals and their communities. Labour mobility also provides vast benefits to Australian employers and host communities and strengthens people-to-people links. Worker welfare is at the centre of the PALM scheme, through strong worker support arrangements and reporting requirements.