The Solomon Islands says it is asking Australia to raise the cap on seasonal worker numbers and to broaden the industries in which they can work.
Photo: RNZI Koroi Hawkins
The Foreign Minister, Milner Tozaka, met with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop last week and asked that Solomon Islands get the same treatment as other Pacific Island countries in the Seasonal Pacific Worker scheme.
He says he has asked that more positions be made available for workers in the tourism, hospitality and skills areas, but he also wants more placements for horticulture workers.
"We need assistance to look at our capacity and organisation of the seasonal workers here, because I also look at the other Pacific Island countries, they are going ahead with it quite well, so we are driving this very important sector that I think will be very helpful for us."
Milner Tozaka says he is happy with the response and is grateful for Australia's commitment to send officials to assist in its Labour Mobility Unit in Honiara.