Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka plans to address his Australian counterpart regarding the contentious Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM) during the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting.
Speaking to reporters in Tonga, Mr. Rabuka expressed the need to reassess both the PALM scheme and the Seasonal Workers Scheme with New Zealand. The PALM scheme has faced significant criticism due to allegations of harsh and unsafe labor conditions affecting Fijians, which has prompted a governmental investigation.
The issue gained attention following the death of 24-year-old Christine Lewailagi in June, who succumbed to a brain tumor while participating in the PALM scheme in Australia. Her family has since reported claims of mistreatment, racism, restrictions on healthcare and sick leave, and intimidation regarding job security, leading Mr. Rabuka to characterize the scheme as a form of modern-day slavery.
Mr. Rabuka highlighted that Fiji’s Minister of Employment, Agni Deo Singh, and his Permanent Secretary, Nemani Maritino, recently traveled to Australia to investigate these allegations. He underscored the importance of addressing these issues at the ministerial level and confirmed that he intends to bring it up with Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is scheduled to attend the forum.
During a visit to the Fijian community in Tonga, Mr. Rabuka also heard concerns regarding employment challenges faced by Fijians in both Australia and New Zealand. Among those present were Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Sakiasi Ditoka, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Filipo Tarakinikini, and Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
The Fijian community raised several concerns:
– Workers being misled and facing poor conditions in Tonga, resulting in violations of employment contracts.
– Lack of a health scheme, with foreigners incurring expenses around $2,000 pa’anga (approximately FJ$1,871.93) for maternity fees.
– Difficulty renewing passports and high airfares preventing Fijians from traveling back to Fiji, as one-way airfare on Fiji Airways costs 1,200 pa’anga (around FJ$1,123.16), a price that community members hope will decrease.