Firms keen to recruit Manus refugees

 SOME business houses have expressed interest in employing skilled and qualified refugees from the Manus regional processing centre, says Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato.

“They are keen to utilise the skills that many of these people bring with them. Communities also want to welcome them,” he said.

Pato said the refugee status assessment had been completed for all refugees by Immigration officials.

He said refugees who were given “negative” assessments could be reviewed by a panel of independent   refugee law experts.

“I expect to finalise all these refugees status determination by June 30.”

Pato said there were no plans to close the centre.

“It is not intended for people to stay indefinitely. We want people to move on with their lives,” he said.

“Refugees will be assisted to find work and start a new life in PNG. Non-refugees will be assisted to return to their home countries.”  

Pato said non-refugees and refuges would be placed in separate accommodation from June 6.

“We need these people to be thinking about their future. Refugees are not detained –they can leave the center as soon as they like,” he said.