An objective of both Australia’s Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE) is to encourage economic development in the Pacific. This In Brief highlights how a number of ni-Vanuatu seasonal workers in both RSE and SWP have created various and sometimes unexpected businesses and responded to the changing economic environment in Vanuatu.

This research reveals seasonal workers have been encouraged to invest businesses that are not necessarily aligned with what workers want or need.