Information for Recognised Seasonal Employers

Solomon Islands has qualified as a source of RSE labour since the launching of the RSE scheme in April 2007 (the list of qualifying countries is here). Solomon Islands was not originally included amongst the five 'Kick-Start Countries' who received direct government-to-government facilitation from New Zealand. Despite this, by June 2008, Solomon Islands had sent well over 200 workers to New Zealand under the scheme — more than two of the Kick-Start Countries combined (Kiribati and Tuvalu).

However, in August 2008, Helen Clark announced the inclusion of Solomon Islands amongst the Kick-Start Countries (as reported by Beehive, Scoop and the Labour Party). Solomon Islands Government is now actively discussing what steps can be taken to improve regulation and facilitation of the scheme with the New Zealand Government and employers. Reports indicate that NZAID is planning to support the scheme with a training programme for RSE workers. Solomon Islands Government expects an increase in recruitment for the 2008–09 season.

Solomon Islands' recruitment mechanism is most closely modelled on the equivalent system in Vanuatu. Unlike in some Kick-Start Countries, government is not directly involved in the selection of workers. Instead, recruitment is conducted by private-sector agents, with the support and under the regulation of government.

There are two different methods which RSEs can use to recruit in Solomon Islands:

1. They can approach a certified recruitment agent, normally a company registered in Solomon Islands who has been inspected by government during the process of receiving a certificate to recruit under the RSE scheme, or
2. New Zealand firms with RSE status are permitted to recruit directly in Solomon Islands, if they prefer. This option may be preferable for re-recruitment of workers in subsequent years.

The process of certification is still in its infancy, having been launched in early September 2008. However, the contact details of certified agents are available from this site. Interested employers may also contact Ezekiel Parairae for advice.

We hope to include as much information as possible about certified agents, to help you to find an agent that is right for you. However, until the scheme and particularly the certification process is well established, it may be difficult for us to provide all the information that could be useful to you.