About 38 nurses applied for seasonal work

By Timothy Inifiri Jr., reporter@sbmonline

About 38 unemployed and retired nurses were recommended by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) for overseas work have already completed the Labour mobility screening process. This was confirmed to the media by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) Mr. Collin Beck yesterday.

“The list of names is not from us but is from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) so that we try to as much as possible to protect our health system and not destabilizing it in anyway,” Beck said.

He also stated that his team will mainly be considering the list recommended by MHMS and that the priority will be given on those that are currently unemployed.

With many complaints on the media about some labour mobility applicants who are still currently employed with other employers, Beck explained that they are currently working with the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) to help assist in checking with their NPFs’.

“Once we have confirmed that the applicant is still working for his/her employer, what usually will happen in such case is that we will have to ask the applicant to make some understanding with the employer. So those that already received their NPFs must also come and show other evidences that their employers are willing to release them,” he said.

Meanwhile Mr Beck has confirmed that a total of 15,024 applicants have made their submissions for its Ready Work Pool recruitment drive earlier this month.