Pacific workers urged to turn overseas earnings into future opportunities

Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, could gain far greater benefits from overseas labour schemes if returning workers are better supported to use their skills, experience and savings back home, the World Bank says.

The issue was highlighted during the launch of the Pacific Economic Update at the World Bank Group office in Suva.

Lead Economist for the Pacific Ralph Van Doorn said seasonal labour programmes such as Australia’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme were already helping families through jobs and remittances, but more could be done to support workers after they return home.

“When they return, you have to make sure those increased brains are supported well,” Mr Van Doorn said.

He said many returning workers came back with valuable experience, new skills and exposure to technology and different industries.

However, he noted that money sent home by workers abroad was often spent on immediate household needs rather than long-term investment.

“We'd like to see more remittances channelled into the financial sector and then recycled into productive investments,” Mr Van Doorn said.

Senior Private Sector Specialist Kimberly May Baltao Chandra said overseas work experience was a valuable resource Pacific countries should not overlook.

“This exposure to new technologies, new systems, access to finance, access to innovation and education is something that we can bring back here,” Ms Chandra said.

The World Bank also encouraged Pacific governments to explore recognising qualifications earned in countries such as Australia and New Zealand so returning workers could apply their skills locally in industries including tourism, construction and agribusiness.