Ten women selected from four regions in Bougainville will travel to Australia as first participants under the Bougainville Government’s Labor Mobility Program.
Samantha Makasu is one of participants and said to do her best during the nine months course of the program.
“We want to assure you all and our families that we will do our best, learn as much as we can and return to assist our families, communities and Bougainville as a whole,” said Samantha.
ABG Department of Commerce, Trade and Economic Secretary, Alex Kerangpuna urged the ten participants to be ambassadors of Bougainville and make good use of the opportunity.
“Congratulations on being the pioneers of this program. Participation in this program is a milestone for your, families, community, people of Bougainville and also for the government,” Kerangpuna said.
The Labor Mobility Program is aimed at empowering young Bougainvilleans by offering them work opportunities in Australia’s agriculture sector.
It is a partnership between the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and Australia.
First Secretary to the Australian High Commission in Bougainville Dr. Fiona Crockford said it was an honor for Australia to partner with the ABG to start this as a pilot program in Bougainville.
“The labor mobility program is essential to the Australian Government’s commitment to build a stronger Pacific family, it aims to strengthen links between people, businesses and communities, fostering deep connections between Australia and Papua New Guinea,” said Dr. Fiona.
Kerangpuna explained that although PNG had it its own labor mobility program, having such a program exclusively for Bougainville is a great achievement as it will also strengthen ties and opportunities for Bougainvilleans.
Dr. Crockford said the program provides the economic pathway for participants to develop skills, earn good income and support their families back home, adding that the recipients will not only invest their savings in their families and communities but also contribute to the local economy by starting new businesses.
The ten female recipients were selected from North, Central, South Bougainville and Nissan and the Atolls.