by Georgina Maka’a

Prime Minister Matthew Wale has challenged Australian employers to recruit more Solomon Islanders, as his government targets 5,000 workers annually through labour mobility programs.

Opening the inaugural Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme Approved Employer Expo in Honiara today, Wale urged participating employers to fill Solomon Islands’ work-ready labour pool by the end of the week.

“Approved Employers, ensure that our work-ready pool is empty by the end of this week, and the target of 5,000 workers per annum is met,” Wale stated.

“I challenge you and my team at LMU to make these happen,” he added.

The expo, attended by representatives of 25 approved employers, is aimed at strengthening recruitment partnerships between Solomon Islands and Australia and expanding employment opportunities for Solomon Islanders.

He stated  that increasing seasonal employment opportunities was one of his key requests to the Australian Government as his administration works to reform the domestic economy and expand job availability.

According to the Prime Minister, the event was a practical outcome of discussions with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during their first official engagement, when labour mobility featured as a shared priority.

“This is an investment in our people,” Wale said, acknowledging employers who had continued recruiting Solomon Islanders since 2018.

Over 13,000 Solomon Islanders have participated in the PALM Scheme across various sectors and industries since that year.

Seven employers are engaging with Solomon Islands for the first time through the expo, which also brings together government officials, training providers and representatives from the insurance and health industries.

The administration recognises that achieving its annual target will require a coordinated approach involving governments, employers, workers, families, training providers, and communities.

Earlier this month, government agencies met through an intergovernmental dialogue convened by the Labour Mobility Unit to identify and address structural bottlenecks affecting the labour mobility system.

Those discussions highlighted the need to improve coordination, adequately resource labour systems, and review the National Labour Mobility Policy.

He encouraged approved employers and other stakeholders to contribute their experience and ideas to the policy review.

Wale described labour mobility as more than an employment initiative, calling it a development partnership that strengthens families, builds skills, and creates economic opportunities.

According to remittance figures recorded by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, labour mobility workers sent approximately SBD$507 million to households in Solomon Islands in 2025.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the scheme’s benefits extend beyond financial returns, allowing participants to gain experience and build relationships with Australian businesses and communities.

Returning workers bring back not only their earnings, but also valuable knowledge, confidence, and fresh perspectives to share locally.

Furthermore, Solomon Islands workers make vital contributions to Australian employers and the broader economy.

The government aims for this initiative to grow sustainably and yield mutual advantages for both nations.

He urged approved employers to use the expo to learn more about Solomon Islands’ workforce, engage with training partners and build lasting relationships with local institutions.

Meanwhile, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Jeffery Roach noted that the PALM scheme addresses workforce needs in both nations.

“It’ll be the voice of the Australian employer about what skills are going to be important for you, how will that translate in terms of skills that are going to be needed here, and how can we better prepare Solomon Islanders for their time in Australia,” Roach said.

He explained that Australian employers need workers in farming, meat processing, and aged care.

Pointing to care work, he added: “We’re going to need Solomons caring for our parents as they grow older.”

Roach thanked employers for offering jobs and building partnerships.

“There’s more work to do. It’s going to be tireless, it’s going to be endless, but my goodness, it’s going to be fruitful,” he said.

The expo will provide opportunities for the 25 approved employers who are in the country to meet the Labour Mobility Unit and other organisations supporting worker preparation and recruitment.

Site visits will also allow participants to see the scheme’s impact on workers, families and communities.