11 May 2011

Migration issues to be debated at Tonga conference

1:42 pm on 11 May 2011

The World Bank is sponsoring a forum in Tonga to discuss the challenges and opportunities for labour migration in the region.

The Pacific Islands Labour Sending Forum aims to help Pacific Island governments develop policies and programmes for managing migration and to increase support and protection for migrants and their families.

The forum will draw on regional and global experiences from labour-sending countries such as Jamaica to enable governments and relevant organisations to share information and identify opportunities for regional cooperation.

A senior economist at the World Bank, Manjula Luthria, says the forum is a vital opportunity for Pacific governments and other stakeholders to discuss how to address the challenges, opportunities and objectives for migration.