The government from the Solomon Islands is urging its seasonal workers in New Zealand to stay there if they are being offered jobs. Since the start of the pandemic, around 400 workers have been repatriated. However, there are still well over 200 Solomon Islanders working in New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.
Solomon Islands Acting High Commissioner, John Kemakeza, has been visiting seasonal worker communities around the country including in Blenheim, Hawke's Bay, Tauranga and Nelson. He said: "In general, our workers are doing great in terms of their work with their respective employers. They have been coping well with work especially during this Covid situation."
As reported on rnz.co.nz, the contracts for some of the workers expire next month and they were eager to return home to the Solomon Islands. But given the difficulty of organising repatriation flights and there being no guarantee when New Zealand would be reopening its borders to foreigners again, John Kemakeza said the government had been urging seasonal workers to consider extending their stays.
