Workers participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme frequently stop sending remittances to their families within six months to a year, according to Maretino Nemani, the permanent secretary for Employment. This trend was revealed in a study conducted in partnership with UNICEF.
Mr. Nemani noted that while workers initially send money to support their families, the challenges of adjusting to a new environment can result in a disconnect from their loved ones. “In the first six months to one year, we observe that they continue to send money home, but as they adapt and form new connections, we start to see a breakdown in communication with their families,” he explained.
He pointed out that the comfort of new friendships and community ties in their host country can sometimes overshadow their obligations to families back home. This separation could have serious emotional effects on children left behind.
While acknowledging that not all workers experience this disconnection, Mr. Nemani emphasized that many manage to maintain their commitments to their families. “That’s when we see a break point. That’s when we realize that these connections happen to their families. So, that’s something that we’ve recognized, and how do we fix that?”
He mentioned that the ministry is actively looking for solutions to help address these issues and provide support to the families affected. “A good number of our workers going across are doing very well. The study shows the impact of family separation on children left behind. This is based on general observations we’ve made during the time workers are abroad.”