On The Land
24 August, 2024
PNG workforce ready for action
PAPUA New Guinea has a wealth of strong, capable and reliable workers ready and willing to come to Australia to work and potential employers are being encouraged to visit the country to see for themselves.
This was the message from the head of PNG’s labour mobility unit, who visited Mareeba, Innisfail and Tully last week to meet with local employers in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
“Papua New Guinea is the most populous country in the Pacific after Australia, which means local employers can build long-term relationships that meet their ongoing labour needs,” director Hakaua Harry said.
“This kind of certainty is a great asset for businesses that have struggled to find local workers.”
As more employers look to the PALM scheme to meet their workforce requirements, director Hakaua is touring Australia to promote the benefits of a labour mobility relationship with PNG.
“Most of our strengths lie in horticulture, agriculture and livestock. Many of our people are subsistence farmers and we have an advanced meat processing industry in PNG,” she said.
“We also have large fisheries and forestry sectors, so can fill roles in those industries.”
Director Hakaua invited PALM scheme employers interested in recruiting from PNG to visit the country, meet the staff at the labour mobility unit and see the positive impacts labour mobility is having in communities across PNG.
“Papua New Guinea is an amazing country with hundreds of languages and cultures,” she said.
“We have more than 100 staff throughout the country waiting to assist employers with the selection process and making sure the right people are put to employers for consideration.
“We encourage employers to come over and see the country for themselves.
“We will look after them and provide all necessary support and will take them to the provinces to meet with candidates. By coming to PNG, employers will know they are getting the right people.”
