Temporary jobs closer to home for Vanuatu's grounded workers

For more than 5,000 Ni-Vanuatu each year, overseas work in Australia and New Zealand through labour mobility schemes provides an important income source. With closed borders and fewer opportunities for travel since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these workers are now looking for new ways to support their families.

Through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), World Vision is helping workers by creating alternative income generating opportunities through a Cash for Work Program. This approach provides temporary employment to workers whose plans to travel to Australia in 2020 were disrupted by COVID-19.

Cash for Work

The 33 Cash for Work participants are part of an internship program, working side by side with World Vision’s staff on variety of projects. Projects include COVID-19 awareness raising and distribution of hygiene materials in target communities in Efate and Santo, constructing handwashing stations, and supporting with the development and delivery of pre-departure training for new seasonal workers in partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Labour. Upon completion of the Cash for Work program, interns receive a certificate detailing the skills gained – which they can use to help access future work opportunities.

“Through the Cash for Work program, these workers are earning income to alleviate COVID-19 pressures on their families and developing new skills, such as learning how to facilitate training at the community level,” said World Vision’s Grants Acquisition and Accountability Manager, Bethany Boyer-Rechlin.

“World Vision is also deeply benefitted by the experience they bring to the job.”

“Cash for Work participants have been able to introduce ways to make our warehouse management more efficient, for example. They have been invaluable in the design of pre-departure training packages in partnership with key partners such as the Vanuatu Department of Labour and the International Organization for Migration – making sure these training programs are culturally appropriate and relevant by directly targeting the needs of Ni-Vanuatu labour mobility participants and their families,” Bethany said.

Alongside Vanuatu’s Department of Labour, World Vision are also partnering with the International Organization for Migration, New Zealand Government, local businesses, other NGOs, and community organisations to ensure smooth coordination between partners working in overseas labour mobility.

Practical opportunities and new skills

Above: Elvina Bule at work at the World Vision office. Photo: World Vision

Mother of two Elvina Bule from Santo had planned to travel to Australia in 2020 to work in meatpacking through the Pacific Labour Scheme. The cancellation of her travel and employment left her and her family struggling to make ends meet.

“In the past, my family and I were drowning in debts. We had to deal with outstanding rental fees, loan repayments, school fees and [getting enough] money to support our family,” Elvina said.

“The real challenge was battling to keep my sanity from the mounting stress.”

Due to her work ethic and enthusiasm for supporting her fellow seasonal workers, Elvina was selected from among the 33 Cash for Work participants to join World Vision as a staff member – first as a part-time cleaner, and now as part of the team implementing the AHP-funded project. Through the program, she is now developing new skills in facilitation and program implementation.

Elvina said her work with World Vision will support her family in covering housing expenses and their son’s school fees, and compensates for her original plans to travel for work to Australia.

“I will do my best at my work and save up as much as I can for future agricultural investments. I have big hopes that my future will be much better,” Elvina said.