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Overview of Labour Sending Arrangements in PNG

Presentation

by

Mr. Alexis MainoDeputy Secretary (Operations) and Chairman,

PNGSW Taskforce

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Background

1. July 2010 - PNG/Australia signed MOU&FA in Alotau PNG

2. June 2010 - Evaluation of PSWPS conducted without PNG’s participation

3. February 2011 - Amendment to MOU & FA agreed between PNG/Australia

4. May 2011 - PNG sent its first 10 workers to Robinvale to Australia for 4 months – returning September 2011

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PNGSW Coordination Offices

1. The PNG Seasonal Worker Coordination Office (PNGSWCO) is created by Government under an NEC Decision No.81/2009

2. PNGSWCO reports to PNGSW Taskforce, DFAT, Minister and NEC

3 Treasury released PGK1 million to DFAT

4. PNGSWCO’s are established progressively

5. Further Offices may be established in Brisbane and Cairns, Queensland

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Establishment of PNGSW Work-ready Pool1. PNG generally has been a labour receiving rather than sending

country since independence with no dependable information and database, thus, no PNG HR and labour management system

2. DLIR is now in the process of establishing its first PNG Labour Market Information Management System

3. DLIR is funding the establishment of the Database, inclusive of the PNGSW Work-ready pool database

4. The PNGSWCO has established a stand-alone database to be migrated into PNG Labour Market Information Management System Database once it is established/commissioned

5. PNGSW Coordination Office housed within the National Employment Division, DLIR

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PNG Work-ready Pool Processes

1. Applicants fill in the Tally Sheet (Expression of Interest) and submit to PNGSWCO with:-

Copy of PNG Passport Copy of evidence of education (grade 10 and up) Copy of Birth Certificate from Civil Registry, DCD Copy of Police Clearance Report Copy of basic Medical Report with results Copy of Statutory Declaration (consent of spouse) Character Reference from community-base screening

committee (Councillor, Church Pastor, Teacher, Village Court Magistrate, NGOs, etc)

Other relevant information and materials

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PNG Work-ready Pool Processes

1. Applications submitted for screening by PNGSWCO and officers of NED, DLIR

2. LMIS displays status of application using colour codes;

GREEN Ready ORANGE/YELLOW Processing RED Not ready, invalid,

rejected..

3. PNGSWCO complete checklist and recommend to Manager, NED for approval (pool)

4. Reports generated by LMIS

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Pre-departure Orientation processes

1. Approved Australian Employer (AAE) seek to recruit workers through PNGSW Taskforce from the pool

2. PNGSW Taskforce recommend eligible workers for interview and selection by AAE

3. Direct recruitment through Taskforce allowed

4. Selected workers attend one week Pre-departure Orientation Seminar at Goldie PNGDF Training Depot

5. Chest X-ray and Visa applications

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District/Ward screening mechanism

1. District Manager’s to establish District or Ward Screening Panels

2. District Screening Panels will be Community-Based:

a) Ward Councillor and/or Village Chiefb) Church denominational Pastors, Ministers & Representatives c) Police OIC/Prosecutor/PSCd) Village Court Chairmen/Magistrate/Chief/Leadere) Medical Officer/Health Worker/APOf) School Head Masters/Mistressg) Women Representativesh) Youth Representativesi) District Managerj) MP Representativek) District Services Agencies of the Statel) MP’s representative

3. District Panels role - screen seasonal worker’s character & eligibility

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PNGSW screening and eligibility criteriaA PNG seasonal worker has to be of:-

1. good character;2. healthy and fit for the work specified by the

Approved Australian Employer (AAE);3. aged between 21 and 45;4. attained grade 10-12 education and have a

working knowledge of English language;5. identify as citizen of PNG; and6. genuine intention to participate and return back to

the PNG – productive citizen

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PNGSW Coordination Office Responsibilities

1. Market research and marketing2. Developing program awareness and advertising3. Developing work-ready pool4. Liaison with interested employers in Australia5. Liaison with Australian Government6. Worker selection7. Assist pre-departure paper work and clearance8. Pre-departure orientation9. Pastoral care and protection of workers rights10. Post-return worker assistance11. Data management, analysis and reporting12. Strategic planning and management

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PNG – Return Workers Arrangements

1. PNG worker prepare to return to Papua New Guinea after the agreed visa period – Right of return with AAE & worker

2. AAE assist workers to prepare and submit tax returns

3. AAE assist worker to obtain refund on superannuation contributions including, information on tax withheld from superannuation that can be reclaimed by worker.

4. The workers are received in Port Moresby for a week on-return debriefing and to assist them to reinvest remitted funds on wealth generating activities at their home districts and villages

6. The DCD and the DPLGA will manage and facilitate the worker’s return journey home

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Awareness, Education and Marketing

1. PNGSWCO will develop an awareness and marketing strategy document for approval - “Focus on PNG seasonal workers Program”

2. PNGSWCO will have adequate staff & funding for awareness, education and marketing

3. Institutional linkages – awareness & education.

4. Marketing PNG workers in Australia

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THE END