Pacific Island Govts Attend Regional Forum On Migration

Pacific Island Govts Attend Regional Forum On Migration

World Bank Sponsors Pacific Islands Labour Sending Forum in Tonga,

NUKU’ALOFA, May 10, 2011- Today government representatives from across the Pacific attended the *Pacific Islands Labour Sending (PAILS) Forum
to discuss challenges and opportunities for labour migration in the region. Sponsored by the World Bank, the Forum will help Pacific Island governments develop effective policies and programmes for managing migration and increase support and protection for migrants and their families.

The PAILS Forum will draw on regional and global experiences from labour-sending countries like Jamaica to enable governments and relevant organizations to share information and identify opportunities for regional cooperation. Participants will discuss policy and institutions to manage and maximize benefits for labour sending countries; regulation of recruitment, and best practice for supporting migrant workers.

“The Pacific Islands Labour Sending Forum is a vital opportunity for Pacific Island governments and other stakeholders to discuss practical actions for addressing challenges, opportunities and objectives for migration. We hope that this will not only assist national governments in managing migration but ultimately enhance support for migrants and their families/” said Manjula Luthria, Senior Economist for the World Bank’s Pacific Division.

Taking place over three days, the PAILS Forum brings together relevant international and regional organizations; labour sending countries including seven Pacific Island governments (Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu); major labour recipient countries such as Australia and New Zealand, and private sector organizations involved in labour recruitment.

The World Bank has assisted Pacific island countries to build their capacity for managing international labour migration and has organized this forum in response to requests from labour sending countries in the Pacific.

www.worldbank.org/pi

ENDS

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