Pacific Adaptation through Labour Mobility in the Low-lying Atoll States of Kiribati, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu

Facilitating safe and dignified labour mobility (LM) is a priority for a number of Pacific Island Countries as it provides an opportunity for both sustainable development and climate change adaptation. However, data gaps limit the capacity of governments to develop evidence-based LM programmes. To address this gap, this project will begin by gathering new data relating to LM and labour markets in three Pacific countries which are vulnerable to climate change: Marshall Islands (RMI), Kiribati, and Tuvalu. Following data collection, IOM will work with Kiribati and Tuvalu to use this data to feed into national labour market information systems (LMIS). Both these countries have National Labour Migration Policies (NLMPs) in place which identify LMIS as a priority intervention. IOM will organise two training sessions (Tuvalu and Kiribati) that will end with a roundtable to agree on next steps for the roll-out of LM activities in-country.

RMI does not have an NLMP in place, however this is a priority for the government moving forward. IOM will organise a national dissemination and planning workshop at which the LM research report will be launched and findings analysed, following which an action plan for developing the NLMP and implementing policy recommendations within the report will be developed. This project will contribute to IOM’s Pacific Strategy Priority 1: “migrants and migration-affected communities benefit from migration as a sustainable development and climate change adaptation strategy.”