Mrs Christina Thyna1
1Nambawan Family Association, PORT VILA, Vanuatu
Biography:
Christina Thyna is a lawyer and the executive director of a local NGO, Nambawan Family Association, which she established in 2023. The vision of the NGO is to address family welfare for families to thrive and showcase their distinctive ability. Apart from that, she is also a researcher with other Universities projects. Labour mobility has had a lot of impacts on families in Vanuatu and is a project that Nambawan Family Association took onboard.
Abstract:
Temporary labour migration has become a prominent aspect of international migration in the Pacific region, with Vanuatu actively participating in labour mobility programs since 2007. Currently, over 20,000 Vanuatu workers are involved in the Australian Palm scheme and the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. While these programs present valuable economic opportunities, they have also given rise to significant social and familial challenges within Vanuatu communities—issues that were initially underestimated by both Vanuatu and its partner countries, Australia and New Zealand.
The Vanuatu government has recognized the increasing prevalence of welfare issues associated with these schemes, including anti-social behaviour, worker disengagement, labour exploitation, brain drain, marriage breakdowns, and other socio-economic concerns. The impact on families left behind and unattended children is alarming.
In response, the government is undertaking a comprehensive review of the existing legal framework, with the goal of developing strategies that ensure the welfare of outbound workers and their families. Recent research conducted is urging the government to create a welfare platform to take care of children and youths. The current policy is aiming at creating a balanced situation in which both sending and receiving countries can benefit from these seasonal labour programs.
In this context, the Nambawan Family Association is dedicated to addressing and alleviating the negative impacts of temporary labour migration. Our initiatives focus on raising awareness about positive parenting through radio programs, offering counselling sessions for affected individuals and families, and conducting prayer sessions to support those in distress.