PRESENTATION - The Lived Experience of ni-Vanuatu in Seasonal Labour Mobility Schemes

A new era of international labour mobility opportunities began for the Pacific region in April 2007 when New Zealand introduced the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE), and in 2008 with Australias Pacific Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme (PSWPS) that evolved in 2012 to the Seasonal Workers Program (SWP). In 2015, over 11,000 Pacific workers were involved in these schemes. This paper reflects on eight years of ethnographical research with ni-Vanuatu workers in the RSE and extends to their children, family and community members involved in SWP. It highlights various cultural, economic, social and political impacts that result from participation.