Lini renews call for labour mobility

Islands Business Exclusive
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ham Lini Vanuaroroa wants Australia to re-consider its stand on labour mobility.
Samisoni Pareti/ islandsbusiness.com
Fri, 3 Aug 2007
PORT VILA, VANUATU ----- Vanuatu Prime Minister Ham Lini Vanuaroroa wants Australia to re-consider its stand on labour mobility. "I wish to commend the New Zealand Government for coming forward and meeting the long held demands of the Pacific Island Countries on labour mobility through the recognized seasonal employment scheme," Lini told trade ministers when he opened their two meeting in Port Vila today. "I urge Australia to consider the same. "I also invite Australia to use this meeting in Vanuatu as the beginning of discussions on a possible labour mobility scheme." According to the Vanuatu leader, any trade agreement between Forum island nations and Australia and New Zealand must reflect the needs of the islands and be big on development. "I am referring to a free trade agreement that includes among other things service liberalized including the temporary movement of skilled, semi skilled and unskilled labour."

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