Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, has unveiled an $8 million partnership with the International Organization for Migration aimed at supporting families and individuals participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme. This announcement was made at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga.
The funding will benefit three yet-to-be-determined countries, focusing on pre-departure training for workers and their families, as well as reintegration courses for those returning from the program. Mr. Conroy highlighted the initiative’s goal of helping families and individuals maximize their opportunities while addressing the challenges that arise.
He reaffirmed the Australian government’s commitment to ensuring that the PALM Scheme operates fairly and equitably, with sufficient protections for workers and active consultation with Pacific governments. Mr. Conroy stressed the significance of direct engagement with governments to ensure that the scheme aligns with their national priorities.
Amy Pope, the director general of the UN International Organization for Migration, mentioned that they are collaborating with the Australian government to promote more structured and well-managed migration through the PALM scheme.
During discussions with civil society and private sector leaders, Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka noted that over 10,000 seasonal workers from Fiji benefit from the PALM scheme, which contributes more than a billion dollars in remittances each year. However, he pointed out that this influx of workers has resulted in a shortage of skilled labor in Fiji and urged international projects to prioritize local recruitment to foster local workforce development.
The newly allocated funding will enhance educational resources, including training materials, and will build the capabilities of partner governments to support PALM workers and their families. This pilot program is set to run until the end of 2026.