Maritino Nemani, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Employment, highlighted that Australia and New Zealand are increasingly recognizing the need to tackle the difficulties faced by workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. He emphasized the significance of collaboration among various stakeholders to enhance the conditions and support for these employees.
Nemani stated that Fiji is not addressing the issues surrounding PALM scheme workers in isolation. He noted that studies are being conducted in collaboration with UNICEF and other key agencies, and discussions are underway with labour-signing counterparts like Vanuatu and Solomon Islands to identify better approaches, as they share similar challenges.
He underscored the necessity of establishing a sustainable system that would benefit both the workers and their families who remain at home. Furthermore, he mentioned that the role of receiving countries is crucial in these efforts, as they are responsible for the workers once they arrive.
Australia and New Zealand’s involvement is vital in finding solutions to these challenges, according to Nemani.