The Australian government has emphasized that the welfare of Pacific and Timor-Leste workers in Australia is its top priority. This comes in response to allegations linked to a former Fijian worker involved in the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme who tragically passed away in June 2024.
The Australian High Commission acknowledged the concerns raised in a social media post about the incident and stated that the government takes all claims of mistreatment seriously and conducts immediate investigations. They are currently in discussions with the Fiji Government regarding the situation but have stated that they cannot provide detailed comments due to privacy considerations and respect for the affected individuals and their families.
The statement also reinforced that all participants in the PALM scheme have the same workplace rights and protections as Australian workers. Any violations of Australian law are addressed through appropriate regulatory channels.
For any concerns regarding treatment, pay, conditions, or welfare, PALM scheme workers and community members are encouraged to reach out via the PALM support line at 1800 51 51 31 or email at PALM@dewr.gov.au.