By Meriba Tulo – EMTV News, Port Moresby
A local association has prepared itself to take part in the Australian Seasonal Workers Scheme. The Seasonal Workers Association is preparing to send at least 200 Papua New Guineans to Australia in September this year to undertake a six-month employment through the Australian Government’s Pacific Island Seasonal Workers Program.
Members of the PNG Seasonal Workers Association met yesterday to sound their appreciation for the recent agreement signed between the Foreign Affairs Ministers of Australia and PNG – this agreement to commence PNG’s participation in Australia’s Seasonal Workers Scheme.
According to Association President, Liz Singe, this decision is welcomed, as it now provides another avenue for Papua New Guineans to contribute to the economy through regular remittance payments. For this particular association, more than 200 members have already undergone basic training in financial literacy in preparation for the program’s commencement in September. This association is also planning to expand its reach, with plans to have a branch set up in Central Province, where they claim they already have interest from over 400 people.
Among the participants to take part in the September rotation, is Peter Rupinti. After undergoing training through the Seasonal Workers Association, Peter Rupinti, a participant who will be part of the September rotation, says he is prepared for the program.
The Seasonal Workers Scheme also provides opportunities for mothers like Alphonsa to take part – for her, the opportunity to undertake seasonal work in Australia is one way of instilling a sense of responsibility.
