Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka plans to address the ongoing issues surrounding the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM) during the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting, aiming to discuss the matter with his Australian counterpart. Speaking from Tonga, Mr. Rabuka emphasized the need to reassess both the PALM scheme and the Seasonal Workers Scheme with New Zealand.
The PALM initiative has faced significant criticism due to serious allegations regarding unsafe working conditions affecting Fijian workers, leading to a government investigation into these claims. The situation intensified following the unfortunate death of 24-year-old Christine Lewailagi, who passed away from a brain tumor while participating in the PALM scheme in Australia. After her death, family members raised various allegations about mistreatment, racial discrimination, and inadequate health care provisions, as well as the threat of job loss for workers.
Describing the scheme as akin to modern-day slavery, Mr. Rabuka noted that Minister Agni Deo Singh and Permanent Secretary Nemani Maritino had recently traveled to Australia to seek the truth regarding the allegations. He expressed his intention to elevate the discussion to the ministerial level, particularly highlighting the need to address these concerns with Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who will be attending the forum.
During his visit to Tonga, Mr. Rabuka met with the Fijian community, where issues regarding employment conditions in Australia and New Zealand were brought to light. Notable attendees at the event included Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Sakiasi Ditoka and Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
Concerns raised by the Fijian community in Tonga include:
– Fijians being misled into poor working conditions and violations of employment contracts.
– Lack of health insurance, with foreign workers having to pay around 2,000 pa’anga (approximately FJ$1,871.93) for maternity expenses.
– Challenges surrounding passport renewal processes, particularly for Fijians struggling to afford high airfare to Fiji, with costs as much as 1,200 pa’anga (FJ$1,123.16) for one-way tickets on Fiji Airways—a price many have requested to be lowered.