The Government of the Republic of Kiribati has launched its first-ever National Employment Policy (NEP) for 2025–2029, marking a historic step toward promoting decent work, inclusive growth, and sustainable livelihoods. Developed through extensive consultation with government authorities, tripartite partners, civil society, and development stakeholders, the policy provides a comprehensive framework to address pressing employment challenges, including high youth unemployment, informality, and labour market mismatches. It emphasizes improving wages and working conditions, empowering vulnerable groups, and better aligning education and skills development with labour market needs.
The NEP also includes measures to protect overseas workers and their families, while strengthening labour market institutions and data systems to support evidence-based policymaking. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Employment and Human Resources (MEHR), employers’ and workers’ representatives actively participated in the policy’s formulation, with technical and advisory support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) through its programme on accelerating SDG achievement and strengthening community resilience in Micronesia.
Endorsed by the Cabinet and presented to the national parliament, the policy was officially launched in a ceremonial event attended by Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, secretaries from all ministries, and the ILO MARI II project team. The launch was celebrated with a ceremonial cake cutting led by Minister Auria Kitina and Vice President Dr. Teuea Toatu, who also serves as Minister for Finance and Economic Development.
Kiribati faces significant employment challenges, including a limited formal job market, high levels of informality, gender disparities, weak institutions, and mismatches between workforce skills and labour market demands. Grounded in robust national labour market data, the Kiribati NEP offers a clear roadmap for creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable workforce, with continued ILO support for policy implementation, monitoring, and review in line with the Decent Work Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
