By Loretta B Manele

Closely monitoring the treatment of migrant workers at their destination of work along with employer adherence to contract terms and conditions is one of the recommendations from a recent IOM report.

Emmanuel Pitakaka, national project officer from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) spoke about this when IOM launched its “Returned Migrant Workers in Solomon Islands” 2025 report last month.

He outlined factors from the report that supported the above recommendation.

Pitakaka said of all migrant workers from their survey, only 55% of the respondents stated that the terms of their employment agreement were fully upheld by their employers.

On the other hand, the rest reported not receiving the salary contraction due to them, experiencing deductions that exceed contract terms, were provided with accommodation that didn’t meet the description in their contract and were assigned work that didn’t align with their contracts.

Pitakaka said another reason for this recommendation is that almost a third of respondents experienced a change to the terms and conditions of their employment while at the destination.

He mentioned that 42% of workers were not consulted by their employer prior to when these contracts or changes being made.

Pitakaka also stated that when workers were consulted, close to half of them felt they could not refuse to receive any incentive by their employers.

He stressed that there are more justifications for this recommendation.

Pitakaka said almost a third of respondents experienced a change.

This change is that 41% of them reported being treated unfairly at work, 50% of all workers reported overpriced accommodation, 13% reported overcrowded accommodation and nearly 1 in 10 workers reported unpaid hours as well as discrimination based on ethnicity, racism and unexpected wage deductions.

Pitakaka noted that only 15% of workers were offered private accommodation in their contract destination and only half of all respondents did not feel that the accommodation arrangements ensured their privacy.

The above were reasons why it is recommended that there is close monitoring of how migrant workers are being treated at their destination of work and of their employers adherence to the contract terms and conditions.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands must urgently raise awareness about its Copyright Act, 1987, according to Pita Niubalavu, an Intellectual Property Lawyer and expert in copyright law.

Niubalavu emphasized that many artists and associations in the country are unaware of the protections available under the law, leaving their rights vulnerable to infringement.

“The Copyright Act is in place and has been there for a long time. It empowers artists and police officers alike,” Niubalavu explained this the Island Sun asked him about his views on the way forward for Solomon Islands.

“However, many artists still believe that there’s no copyright law in the country. This is simply not true.”

Niubalavu pointed out that the Copyright Act of Solomon Islands is similar to the Copyright Act in Australia, offering artists a legal framework that protects their works from unauthorized use.

The law not only safeguards the rights of creators but also grants power to the courts to issue damages and injunctions in cases of infringement.

“Now, what we need to do is start raising awareness, not just among the artists, but also the public, including businesses, government departments, and entertainment venues,” Niubalavu said. “There needs to be more education on the fact that this law exists and that it directly benefits the creators.”

One concerning issue Niubalavu highlighted was that many businesses in Honiara, including shops, hotels, and even public offices, are using music without obtaining the proper licenses.

“This widespread practice of using music for free, without paying royalties to the artists, is a direct violation of the Copyright Act.

“I was shocked to learn that none of the shops or hotels in Honiara hold a license to use music. This means they are violating copyright law by using music without compensating the artists who created it,” Niubalavu said.

Niubalavu called for action to address this gap and ensure that businesses understand their responsibility to secure licenses for the music they play.

“It’s time for artists to organize themselves and advocate for the enforcement of this law,” he said.

“But awareness needs to spread across the country, especially to all government entities, businesses, radio and TV stations, and any other users of music. They must understand that without a license, their use of music is illegal.”

“The message is clear: Solomon Islands’ Copyright Act, 1987, provides essential protection for artists, but more effort is needed to ensure that everyone—from creators to music users—understands its significance.

With Niubalavu’s call for widespread awareness, the country has an opportunity to better support its artists and ensure that intellectual property rights are respected and enforced.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

By Loretta B Manele

Solomon Islands has extended an open invitation to international investors, governments and stakeholders to join the country in shaping the tourism industry.

This is according to a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) about Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s participation at the World Governments Summit roundtable on the ‘Future of Tourism’, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, (UAE) this week.

Speaking at the event, Manele emphasized on Solomon Islands growing tourism industry and its dedication to unlocking its full potential for sustainable progress.

He said looking towards the future, Solomon Islands is focused on creating a model of tourism that balances environmental sustainability, cultural preservation and community empowerment while fostering economic growth.

Manele voiced that Solomon Islands tourism strategy is rooted in the belief that community involvement is essential.

“The people of Solomon Islands are the true custodians of our islands and their voices must be heard in shaping the future of tourism here.”

Whilst addressing the summit, Manele said the national government has set a number of ambitious targets to achieve by the year 2035.

He stated that these targets include; increasing visitor arrivals from 28,000 to 100,000 by improving air connectivity, destination marketing and tourism infrastructure, boosting of tourism contribution to GDP through strategic investments and policy reforms and diversification of tourism products.

There is also another target which is new job creation for youth and women in areas such as hospitality, cultural tourism, adventure tourism and eco-tourism as well as the development of skilled workforce.

Manele said to achieve the above goals, the government has identified essential strategic pillars which are; investment in infrastructure and connectivity such as expanding airport and maritime facilities, improving transport infrastructure and advancing digital connectivity to support tourism growth.

To add on, other strategic channels the government has also identified are; protection of marine ecosystems, cultural heritage and biodiversity, encouraging eco-tourism and community-based tourism projects, destination marketing and promotion, regulatory and policy reforms and public-private partnerships and international collaboration.

Manele stressed that as Solomon Islands embarks on this transformative journey, the government extends an open invitation to international investors, governments and stakeholders to join in shaping the future of Solomon Islands tourism industry.

“The World Government Summit provides a unique opportunity to form partnerships that will positively impact the global tourism landscape. We invite you to explore investment opportunities in the Solomon Islands and help us build a thriving, sustainable tourism industry that will benefit our people and the world.”

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Makira Ulawa provincial government plans to implement a total of 26 projects in the province under its Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) program for 2024/2025 financial year.

The projects will implement through a funding SBD8.3 million awarded to the province following their recent requalification for the PCDF program.

Premier of Makira Ulawa province, Stanley Siapu made the statement highlighting the importance of cooperation among leaders and people of Makira Ulawa province to implement the projects

“We managed to pass the recent PCDF assessment and able to access around SBD8.3 million to implement 26 approved projects in the province.

“The fund was portioned, and 20 percent of it was allocated for administration of the province.

“This includes; renovation of provincial offices, residents and other government infrastructure within the provincial headquarter,” he said.

Siapu furthered that 80 percent of the fund will go toward the productive and social sectors in the province.

He said this includes; education, health, community development projects, women, youth, church projects and other infrastructure projects in the province.

Siapu however, shared the challenge they face in executing the fund prior to the end of the current financial year on March 31st, as provided for under PCDF manual.

He recalled the PCDF assessment was carried out in October 2024, and results were released in late December 2024.

Adding after then, the Makira Ulawa provincial assembly had its revised budget toward the end of January 2025.

“Seriously, we only have about two months to implement the 26 proposed projects.

“That’s our challenge, and we are working against time as much as possible to implement the projects within this short period of time.

“At the moment we are working on tendering the projects and we hope implementation of projects will begin prior to March 2025,” Siapu said.

The premier was concerned on the PCDF manual that if they don’t implement the projects prior to March 31st, 60 percent of the fund will return to the national government.

That will leave the province with 40 percent to roll over.

Considering the lateness of awarding the PCDF qualification status to MUP, it would be an advantage if the PCDF team under MPGIS to ponder the situation by Makira Ulawa provincial government, according to Siapu.

He said this is by wavering the clause under the PCDF manual to allow room for Makira Ulawa to implement the fund.

Regardless of that, Siapu said MUP is prepare to do its best to meet requirements under the funding program, knowing very well they just qualified for the program.

In the meantime, he said MUP is currently preparing for the next PCDF assessment that expect for next month.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Premier of Makira Ulawa Province, Stanley Siapu, has raised concerns about the scale of logging operations in the province.

He described the situation as deplorable, despite logging being the province’s major revenue source.

“As we understand, loggable trees are depleting, and production is declining.

“In the next few years, there will be no logging operations or companies left to pay licenses to operate in the province.

“This would indeed be a setback for the province’s revenue collection, and we must start looking at alternatives—exploring other opportunities to strengthen provincial revenue,” Siapu said.

He revealed an alarming scenario in which most of the logged trees at various log ponds in the province are nearly the size of coconut trees.

“But the national government controls logging operations by issuing licenses, while the province only imposes business licenses and facilitates timber rights hearings.

“With the current situation, my government will sit down this year and assess the issue,” Siapu said.

He also noted that, at present, they lack available data on logging operations in the province.

Siapu said this is one of the critical challenges they face, especially since the provincial forestry office in Kirakira has been without an officer for quite some time.

However, he assured that they have been working on the matter and expect someone to take up the post soon.

“From there, we will explore how best to work with the Ministry of Forestry and Research to strengthen the office.

“Additionally, an operational forestry office would provide the executive with information to help them deliberate on steps to take regarding logging operations in the province.

“Otherwise, we will continue cutting undersized trees, as is currently happening,” Siapu said.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]