Kiribati launches first National Employment Policy to boost jobs and decent work

Kiribati faces some of the most complex employment barriers in the Pacific due to its small formal labour market, geographic isolation, high population growth, and limited private sector opportunities.

The Government of the Republic of Kiribati has launched its first-ever National Employment Policy (NEP), marking a transformative milestone in the country’s efforts to promote decent work, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable livelihoods for its people. The policy, covering the period 2025–2029, establishes a long-term framework to address both immediate and structural challenges within Kiribati’s labour market.

Developed through extensive national consultations with employers, workers, government institutions, development partners and civil society, the NEP provides a clear roadmap for improving employment outcomes in a country where job opportunities remain limited and labour market vulnerabilities are widespread.

A strategy to address Kiribati’s core employment challenges

Kiribati faces some of the most complex employment barriers in the Pacific due to its small formal labour market, geographic isolation, high population growth, and limited private sector opportunities. The NEP directly addresses key issues, including:

• High youth unemployment and a lack of opportunities for school leavers

• Widespread informality, leaving workers without security or protections

• Skills mismatches between education outcomes and labour market needs

• Gender disparities in access to decent work

• Weak labour market institutions and outdated data systems

To respond to these challenges, the policy focuses on improving wages and working conditions, expanding employment services, strengthening vocational and skills training, and empowering vulnerable groups such as women, young people and people in the informal economy.

Protecting overseas workers and strengthening institutions

A significant feature of the NEP is a new set of measures designed to protect I-Kiribati overseas workers, many of whom support family livelihoods through labour mobility schemes in Australia and New Zealand. Initiatives include safeguarding recruitment processes, improving pre-departure training, and supporting the welfare of workers’ families.

The policy also prioritises institutional reforms, including improved regulation, stronger workplace compliance, and upgraded labour market information systems to enable evidence-based policymaking.

High-level launch in Tarawa

The NEP was developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Employment and Human Resources (MEHR), with technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) through its joint programme on Accelerating SDG Achievement through Digital Transformation to Strengthen Community Resilience in Micronesia.

The policy was endorsed by the Cabinet and formally presented in Parliament before its national launch in Tarawa. The ceremony featured:

• Hon. Auria Kitina, Minister for Employment and Human Resources

• Vice President Dr. Teuea Toatu, Minister for Finance and Economic Development (Chief Guest)

• Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament

• Secretaries of all Ministries

• The ILO’s MARI II project team

A ceremonial cake cutting marked the celebration of this landmark achievement.

International support for implementation

The ILO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kiribati in implementing the policy, ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation in alignment with the Decent Work Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The NEP, grounded in comprehensive labour market assessments, provides a strategic pathway toward a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable workforce, ensuring that all I-Kiribati—particularly young people and vulnerable groups—benefit from meaningful employment opportunities.