Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka plans to use the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting to discuss the contentious Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM) with his Australian counterpart. In an interview in Tonga, Rabuka emphasized the need to reevaluate both the PALM initiative and the Seasonal Workers Scheme with New Zealand.
The PALM scheme has faced significant criticism due to allegations of harsh working conditions affecting Fijian workers, prompting an official investigation by the Fijian Government. The situation garnered further attention following the June death of 24-year-old Christine Lewailagi from a brain tumor while participating in the scheme in Australia. Allegations of inadequate treatment, instances of racism, restricted health care, and threats concerning job security have emerged from her family’s statements.
Rabuka referred to the scheme as a form of modern-day slavery, indicating that it calls for urgent attention at the ministerial level. He noted that the Fijian Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh, and his Permanent Secretary, Nemani Maritino, traveled to Australia to investigate these serious claims. Rabuka expressed his intent to address these issues with the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who is expected to attend the meeting.
Additionally, Rabuka met with members of the Fijian community in Tonga, where concerns about employment conditions in Australia and New Zealand were voiced. Attendees included various government officials, including the 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 included reports of workers being misled and facing subpar working conditions, a lack of health care options—where foreign workers reportedly bear a high cost for maternity care—and difficulties encountered by Fijians renewing their passports while dealing with exorbitant airfare to Fiji.