The ten women from Bougainville selected to undergo the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme will commence work at an Australian berry farm.
Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Jon Philp said the ten are the first lot of women to represent their region (Autonomous Region of Bougainville).
“These remarkable women are, we hope, the first of many Bougainvilleans who will travel to Australia under the scheme,” said Philip.
The Bougainville Labour Mobility initiative is a collaboration between the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the PNG Government, and Australia, to increase the number of Bougainvilleans participating in the PALM scheme.
Shirley Philips from North Bougainville is one of the ten women undergoing this program. Philips said through PALM, workers from across the Pacific are developing skills and make an income to send back to their families.
“They are filling workforce shortages across industries in Australia, including in agriculture, food processing, and aged care” said Philips.
Since work began in January 2023, more than one hundred Bougainvilleans have been selected to join the PNG LMU work-ready pool.
Labour mobility is an important driver of economic growth and one of the most effective ways to support individuals and their communities.
Labour mobility also provides vast benefits to Australian employers and host communities and strengthens people-to-people links.