Recognised Seasonal Employer

Kiribati

Arrangements for a New Zealand employer who holds Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) status and an Agreement to Recruit

Key Contact in Kiribati

Ngutu Awira
Director of Labour
Ministry of Labour & Human Resources Development
PO Box 69
Tarawa
KIRIBATI
Email: mdol@labour.gov.ki or
mngutuawira@yahoo.co.uk

Taakei Taoaba
Secretary of Ministry of Labour & Human Resources Development
Tel: 00686 21069
Email: mdol@labour.gov.ki

General Information   

Geography: A group of 33 coral atolls 21 of which are inhabited; includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands

Capital: Tarawa

Population: 105,432 (July 2006 est.)

Languages: I-Kiribati, English

Economy: Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence from the UK in 1979. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years.

What assistance does Kiribati provide?

Recruitment

There are two recruitment options RSEs can choose from:

Option A

Kiribati has a work ready pool that you can select from. The Ministry has prepared a work ready pool made up of individuals who have passed a pre-selection and screening process.

The pool has been established based on pre-selection by Island Councils and screening undertaken by a specially appointed Screening Committee.

RSEs are encouraged to contact the Ministry with a list of their requirements.

The Ministry will present a list of suitable candidates for RSEs to travel to interview or to make recruitment decisions. The Ministry can make arrangements for candidates to be interviewed. If RSEs choose to conduct interviews in Kiribati they will need to obtain a license from the Ministry.

Once the selection has been made, RSEs will need to provide signed employment agreements to confirm the job offer.

Option B

RSEs can engage an agent. Agents must hold a license to recruit. If RSEs recruit in person, they need to obtain a recruitment license. The key contact will provide a list of licensed agents and the procedure to obtain a license. It may be more practical to work with a licensed agent.

Employers visiting Kiribati under Option A or B will be given the opportunity before or immediately after accomplishing the recruitment exercise, to see cultural performances and visit war relics.

Work Visa Application & Processing

Once an individual receives an offer of employment from the RSE and obtains other immigration documentation, they can then submit a work visa to work for an RSE application form to the New Zealand High Commission, Tarawa. At the time of submission, the application (form, fee and photo) must be fully completed attached with all documentation requirements (i.e. Employment Agreement, Medical and Chest X-Ray Certificate).

Pre-Departure Orientation

Individuals selected from the work ready pool will attend a seminar before their departure to New Zealand covering matters such as climate, clothing and footwear requirements, taxation, insurance (particularly health insurance), health and wellbeing, accident compensation, banking and remitting, budget advice and travel arrangements. These seminars will be delivered by the Ministry in Kiribati. Workers will receive a pre-departure booklet to assist them while in New Zealand.

Pastoral Care

RSEs are responsible for the pastoral care of workers as set out in the RSE Work Policy. Kiribati workers will benefit from the full protection of New Zealand employment and workplace legislation, in particular legislation concerning healthy and safe conditions of work. Should any concerns arise during the term of employment, RSEs and workers can approach Department of Labour staff as well as key contact where workers were recruited through the work ready pool.

Compliance

The Ministry will emphasis to workers at the pre-departure seminars the importance of compliance and the public consequences of any overstaying, displaying a good work ethic and protecting Kiribati reputation as a source of seasonal labour. Similar to pastoral care, RSEs are responsible for ensuring that workers comply with immigration requirements and return home before the expiry of their permit.