Tonga’s first Labour Mobility Policy was launched by Prime Minister Hon Dr Tu’i’onetoa today, 4 February.

The policy, which was endorsed by cabinet in 2020, aims to maximize the development impact of circular labour mobility in Tonga.

Tonga has participated in Labour Mobility Programs since 2007 with New Zealand’s Recognized Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE), Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) in 2012, and in 2019 the Australia New Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS). The programs help to address labour shortages in New Zealand and Australia and provide low and semi-skilled Tongans opportunities to work overseas temporarily, and return with skills to contribute to Tonga's economy.

In his keynote address, the Prime Minister said Tonga benefits greatly from labour mobility.

“Studies by the World Bank have identified that the net income generated by Seasonal Workers in Australia alone, over the period 2012-2017 (5 years), was close to AUD$99 million, far outweighing our export receipts, foreign direct investment inflows and even foreign aid.”

“But the greatest significance of labour mobility, in my view, is its ability to provide employment opportunities for our unemployed and the poorest of the poor so that they can improve their standards of living.”

The Prime Minister thanked the governments of Australia and New Zealand for their commitment in providing labour mobility opportunities for Tongans.

“We also look forward to potential future opportunities in other countries such as in Japan and China.”

Pacific Labour Facility, Labour Mobility Engagement Manager, Dr ‘Alisi Kautoke Holani gave a brief overview of the policy, which also included a five year plan.

She said it considered the complete circular labour mobility process, and its impact on the worker, their household, community, and Tonga as the sending country.

The policy also considered the negative social impacts on families and communities, and on the local private sector.

Australian horticulture

Australian High Commissioner HE Adrian Morrison said this policy is significant to Tonga, Australia and New Zealand.

“The reputation of the seasonal workers program is clearly demonstrated by the Australian Horticulture industry’s push for a special pathway for seasonal workers to enter and work in Australia in spite of CoViD-19 travel restrictions.”

He said the high demand for Tongan workers was also evident in the large contingent of employers willing to pay expenses for chartered flights bringing Tongan workers to Australia and returning them to Tonga after completion of their contracts.

Also launched today was a workshop with stakeholders focusing on Tonga’s Labour Mobility Operations Procedure.

Acting New Zealand High Commissioner, Peter Lund said it was inspiring to see Tonga looking forward with this policy launch and the workshop that would be taking place over the next four days. It would help to ensure that Tonga was really well placed to achieve its labour mobility objectives going forward.

Thousands of Tongans are employed in labour mobility schemes in New Zealand and Australia in horticulture, meat processing, construction, tourism and hospitality.

Missed out

This year Tonga opted out of a new labour mobility scheme with New Zealand requiring an extra 2,000 experienced seasonal workers from the Pacific from January to mid-March. Tonga cited not being able to meet certain criteria, including a guaranteed return flight home for seasonal workers at the end of the season.