Solomon Islands validates its first National Employment Policy

Honiara, Solomon Islands (ILO News) - Solomon Islands' first ever National Employment Policy (NEP) is close to finalization, following validation of the draft by stakeholders at a workshop held in Honiara on 4-5 March 2025.

The two-day validation workshop brought together more than 50 representatives of government agencies, trade unions, employers and private sector as well as civil society. Supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the NEP aims to respond to the current employment challenges and to contribute to decent job creation in the Solomon Islands.

The workshop provided the opportunity to review and validate the current draft policy, allowing stakeholders to engage in discussions across the different thematic areas that the policy will cover. This includes macroeconomic policies for job creation, enterprise development, agricultural productivity, education and skills development, labour migration, labour market information, social protection, working conditions and the promotion of employment opportunities for women, youth and persons with disabilities. The workshop also reviewed the proposed action plan that will be part of the policy and discussed the mechanism for implementation.

The workshop was officially opened by the Hon. Harry Kuma, Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI). In his remarks, Mr Kuma stressed that the current draft of the National Employment Policy, "Represents our collective vision for a more dynamic and resilient labour market. It is a policy that recognizes employment not just as a means of economic survival but as a foundation for social stability, poverty reduction and inclusive growth."

Christian Viegelahn, ILO Employment Specialist, said: "This NEP takes account of the multi-dimensional nature of employment, and proposes realistic, concrete actions. With the continued strong commitment of stakeholders towards the policy, the NEP will undoubtedly be an important instrument to promote decent employment opportunities for all in the Solomon Islands."

Brown Pwai, Commissioner of Labour at MCILI, said: "The NEP will be a fundamental, policy for the whole of Solomon Islands. It is like a foundation, like a pillar for the nationand will serve to sustain economic growth and address the challenges linked to employment."

Tony Kagovai, President of the Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU), emphasized that the trade union movement wholly supports the NEP, stressing its timeliness and relevance in the current context of the Solomon Islands.

As next steps, MCILI will present and socialize the NEP with stakeholders in the provinces on some of the outer islands. Once finalized, it is expected that the NEP will be submitted to Cabinet for adoption in June or July this year.

The initiative is supported by the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, in collaboration with the Government of the Solomon Islands and funded by the Joint SDG Fund through the Joint Programme on Advancing the SDGs by Improving Livelihoods and Resilience through Economic Diversification and Digital Transformation in five Pacific Island Countries.