The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), convened a three-day Minimum Wages Setting Workshop at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara. The workshop brought together government representatives, employers' organizations, workers' organizations and development partners to strengthen the national minimum wage-setting process and support the review of Solomon Islands' minimum wage framework.
The workshop, taking place from 9-11 June 2026, aims to enhance understanding of international labour standards, review regional experiences, and build consensus on evidence-based approaches to set an adequate minimum wage that takes into account the needs of workers, employers, and the economic factors.
Opening the workshop, the Honourable Harry Kuma, Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, emphasized the importance of a transparent and inclusive wage-setting system that is grounded in evidence and national realities.
"We are not here only to discuss a rate. We are here to build a better system: a system that uses data, listens to the views of workers and employers, considers affordability and compliance, and supports a predictable review process," said Hon. Harry Kuma.
The Minister highlighted that minimum wage policies play an important role in promoting decent work, reducing poverty, and supporting inclusive development. He also noted that the review process should be informed by reliable national data, including findings from the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) and other official sources.
Participants will examine key principles contained in ILO Convention No. 131 on Minimum Wage Fixing and Recommendation No. 135, as well as the conclusions of the 2024 ILO Meeting of Experts on wage policies, including living wages. Discussions will also explore regional experiences, including recent minimum wage developments in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Cambodia.
The workshop provides an opportunity for tripartite constituents to strengthen dialogue and build a shared understanding of the factors that should inform future minimum wage decisions in Solomon Islands. Topics include needs of workers and their families, economic conditions, labour productivity, consultation mechanisms, and regular wage review processes.
The ILO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Solomon Islands in developing fair, transparent, and sustainable wage-setting mechanisms that contribute to decent work and advancing social justice.
The outcomes of the workshop are expected to contribute to the Government's ongoing efforts to review and modernize the country's minimum wage framework, ensuring that it remains responsive to changing economic and social conditions while supporting both workers and businesses.
About the Workshop
The Minimum Wages Setting Workshop is jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration and the International Labour Organization. The workshop runs from 9 - 11 June 2026 at the Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara, and brings together representatives from government, employers' organizations, workers' organizations, and other key stakeholders.
