The Legislative Assembly of Tonga is excited to announce the second Speaker’s Debate, taking place on Friday, October 4 at 10:00 AM in the Assembly Chamber, Nuku’alofa. This public debate will focus on the theme: “Pacific Mobility Scheme: Its Benefits and Challenges and Overcoming those Challenges.”
This important discussion was inspired by His Majesty’s message during the opening of Parliament's 2024/2025 session, emphasizing the need to enhance our labor mobility supply management strategy. He highlighted three key challenges posed by these schemes:
- Impact on Agriculture: The migration of Tongans for overseas work often leaves plantations unattended, affecting crop growth and tax revenue.
- Family Dynamics: Many parents working abroad spend extended periods away from their children and elderly relatives, impacting family care responsibilities.
- Skill Shortages: The outflow of workers contributes to a shortage of skilled labor necessary for local businesses and job creation.
Given the concerns raised by Members of Parliament, the Speaker’s Debate was initiated to explore the complexities of temporary labor mobility.
The Purpose of the Debate
This debate aims to examine the benefits, challenges, and hopefully a solution for challenges facing the temporary labor mobility programs, which present a vital opportunity for Tonga’s socio-economic development. These programs offer a reliable source of income for many families, significantly impacting their livelihoods.
Since 2007, Tonga has participated in labor mobility schemes, including New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) introduced in 2018. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 19 percent of seasonal workers from Tonga participated annually, making Tonga second only to Vanuatu in the number of individuals on PALM visas in Australia. This equates to a higher percentage of Tonga’s population (9%) compared to Vanuatu (5%), suggesting a more substantial impact on our economy.
According to the 2021 Census, 25 percent of families in Tonga rely on remittances from seasonal workers abroad. The World Bank reports that, on average, each worker remits TOP$ 9,545, which supports school fees, daily expenses, and community fundraising efforts.
Your Voice Matters
The outcome of this debate will play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and informing policymaking regarding labor mobility. We invite the public, media, and interested stakeholders to engage in this vital conversation.