The draft MOU sets out arrangements for Solomon Islanders to take up seasonal work in horticulture, particularly fruit picking and other industries.
Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Robert Sisilo said such arrangements fall under Australia’s Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme which is carried out over a three year period to see if the program contributes to development objectives of Pacific Island Countries.
The scheme is expected to contribute to economic development in Solomon Islands through employment experience, remittances and training gained under the scheme.
Sisilo said the draft MOU is an expression of intent and is the first step toward realizing this goal.
Once adopted, both sides will work out details for facilitating the movement of workers from Solomon Islands to Australia and back.
Meanwhile, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands says it will be withdrawing its personnel from provincial police posts around the country over the next two years.
This is to allow the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to take more responsibility for the security of the nation, says RAMSI head Nicholas Coppell.
Coppell says this transition is a long term process and is about RAMSI stepping back to create space for the RSPIF to step up to take the lead.
He however clarifies that RAMSI will not be simply walk away, nor will they leave abruptly but the transition will be a steady measured process designed to ensure that the RSIPF officers have the space to lead and the time to gain crucial community support to do their jobs.
