This report explores the impacts of labour mobility on opportunities for women in the private
sector in Vanuatu. With participation concentrated in seasonal employment (RSE and PALM
Short), Vanuatu has long been one of the top labour sending countries to Australia and New
Zealand’s labour mobility schemes. Men have accounted for roughly 80 percent of visa grants
since the schemes began. This report begins by summarising Vanuatu’s participation in the
labour mobility schemes and current labour market trends within Vanuatu. It then introduces
the research questions and methodology before considering labour mobility impacts on the
private sector, how businesses are coping with labour losses, and opportunities for and barriers
to women’s employment and entrepreneurship as a strategy to address labour shortages. While
findings suggest that labour mobility does not currently seem to be increasing women’s
participation in the private sector, creating employment and training opportunities for women
could represent one possible solution to current skills and labour shortages. Importantly,
promoting women’s economic activity and access to training opportunities aligns closely with
national policy goals including those presented in Vanuatu 2030: The People’s Plan1
(Government of Vanuatu, 2021) and the National Gender Equality Policy 2020-20302
Access the full report Here.
