Three retired Solomon Islands nurses are the first to be sent to Niue under the Intra-Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme between the two countries.
The local nurses, Lilly Gela, Chaniella Keumeru Valusa and Delilah Kalihohola left Honiara last Friday to pilot the first managed intra-Pacific labour mobility programme for the Pacific.
Solomon Islands had engaged with Niue as the first country under this arrangement, through the Inter-Agency Understanding (IAU), signed by the governments of Niue and Solomon Islands in July this year.
The Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) identified more than eight candidates based on listing from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services which were sent through to Niue for final selection.
These three workers will sign a six-month probationary contract that would be extended based on performance.
The nurse’s participation will basically open up other sectorial opportunities in Niue for Solomon Islanders in the future.
The Pilot is the first managed intra-Pacific labour mobility programme for the Pacific and is facilitated through the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Labour Mobility Secretariat under the framework of the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility (ALM).
In November 2023, the Niuean government endorsed the proposal for a pilot programme for the health sector and the PACER Plus Implementation Unit then worked with the governments of Niue and Solomon Islands to develop an Inter-Agency Understanding (IAU) that would deliver mutual benefits to both governments particularly the Solomon Island workers and the Niue Health Sector which will employ them.
As requested by the Niuean government, the Pilot will target retired Solomon Island nurses below the Niuean retirement age of 60 due to their vast experience. The nurses will predominantly work in the Niuean aged care unit but will also serve as general nurses in the main hospital in Alofi.