Solomon Islands

According to the 2018 Trafficking in Persons report, the Solomon Islands is a source, transit, and destination country for local and Southeast Asian men and women subjected to forced labor and forced prostitution, and local children subjected to sex and labor trafficking. For example, fishermen from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Fiji have reported situations indicative of labor trafficking, including non-payment of wages, severe living conditions, violence, and limited food supply on Taiwan-flagged fishing vessels in the Solomon Islands’ territorial waters and ports. In recent years, with support from international organizations like IOM, the Government of Solomon Islands has been making significant efforts to combat human trafficking, including through implementing the Solomon Islands National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking and People Smuggling. The Solomon Islands Immigration Division within the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration is the primary entity dealing with migration, and it includes officials dedicated to counter-trafficking and smuggling.

The Solomon Islands has been defined as a low-mobility country with emigrants accounting for 0.3 per cent of the population.   However, there is increasing participation in seasonal work programmes and other labour mobility schemes which present an opportunity for sustainable development. 

IOM projects in the Solomon Islands

IOM activities in the Solomon Islands and the Pacific Region are guided by the IOM Pacific Strategy available here: https://publications.iom.int/system/files/pdf/iom_pacific_strategy.pdf

Solomon Islands became a member of IOM on 30 June 2016. IOM implemented a counter-trafficking programme in partnership with the Solomon Islands Immigration Division. Key activities included capacity building for law enforcement actors at the central and provincial level on human trafficking, including how to identify victims and investigate cases; training for key service providers on victim identification, protection and referral and the provision of quality psychosocial support; and basic direct assistance to victims of trafficking. Additionally, from 2009 to 2015, IOM partnered with the Government of Solomon Islands on a Border Strengthening Programme to develop the capacity of the Immigration Division, with a goal to contribute to enhanced national security and effective border management.

Currently, IOM is implementing two projects in the Solomon Islands:

• Community Health and Mobility in the Pacific - Objective: To contribute to an environment in which migrants, their families and migration-affected communities enjoy the benefits of good physical health and wellbeing.

  Supported by the IOM Development Fund.
   

• Protecting the rights of women and children, particularly girls in migration-affected communities in the Solomon Islands - Objective: To contribute to the protection of the fundamental rights of women and children, particularly girls, in migration-affected communities in the Solomon Islands.

   Supported by the European Union.

Contact information

IOM Solomon Islands
ANZ Haus
Ranadi Highway
East Honiara
Solomon Islands        
Tel: +677 22536