11/05/2026
Pacific Labour Leaders Gather in Nadi to Discuss the Future of Work
The Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations has brought together senior labour leaders from across the Pacific in Nadi this week for a major regional meeting focused on jobs, worker mobility, skills development, workplace protections, and the future of work in the Blue Pacific.
Hosted by Fiji under the theme “Designing our Destiny: A Just and Resilient Future of Work for the Blue Pacific,” the Senior Labour Officials Meeting has attracted delegates from across the region, including governments, workers’ representatives, employers’ organisations, and international development partners.
Opening the meeting this morning at Tanoa International Hotel, Permanent Secretary for Employment Jone Maritino Nemani said the gathering comes at a critical time as Pacific nations work to strengthen employment opportunities, labour protections, and safe pathways for Pacific workers seeking opportunities abroad.
Mr Nemani said the discussions are particularly relevant as more Pacific Islanders continue accessing overseas employment opportunities through labour mobility pathways, while countries also work to address skills shortages, economic recovery, technological change, climate challenges, and the growing need for stronger social protection systems.
“This meeting is timely as it comes at a critical moment for our region as Pacific Island countries continue to face a range of interconnected challenges, including the impacts of climate change, economic recovery pressures, demographic transitions, informality in employment, skills shortages, technological revolutions and the growing need for stronger social protection systems,” Mr Nemani said.
He said those same challenges also present opportunities for Pacific countries to work together in shaping a future of work that is inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and firmly grounded in Pacific priorities and values.
Mr Nemani said this week’s discussions build on the outcomes of the 2025 Pacific Tripartite High-Level Conference on Employment, Decent Work, Climate Change and Security, which was also held in Fiji last year.
He said that conference reaffirmed the importance of decent work as a foundation for sustainable development, social stability, climate resilience, and human security across the Pacific.
Mr Nemani said discussions this week will also focus on strengthening labour governance, promoting safe and rights-based labour pathways for Pacific workers, investing in skills development and youth employment, improving occupational safety and health standards, advancing gender equality, and strengthening support for vulnerable workers, particularly those in informal sectors.
He said the future of work in the Pacific must be shaped by Pacific-led solutions, strengthened partnerships, and meaningful dialogue between governments, employers, workers, regional organisations, and development partners.
The meeting also includes representatives from the International Labour Organization, International Organization for Migration, Asian Productivity Organization, regional trade unions, private sector organisations, and international partners from Australia and New Zealand.
