A family’s plan to celebrate their father’s 50th birthday in Tau Village, Nadroga, has been overshadowed by the recent death of their daughter, Christine Lewailagi, aged 24, under controversial circumstances in June. Christine was working in Melbourne, Australia, as part of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme. Her parents, Sairusi Nadiligo and Sainimere Tabua, are seeking clarity about the events leading to their daughter’s death.
“We are searching for answers and seeking justice for her death,” Ms. Tabua said, holding back tears when approached for comment. Christine departed Fiji in May 2022 to assist her family financially and was employed as a slaughterhouse assistant with Midfield Meat Group in Victoria on a PALM Visa 403. Ms. Tabua alleges her daughter experienced systemic abuse and modern slavery prevalent among Pacific Island workers in similar seasonal employment.
“She would call daily, expressing feelings of mistreatment in Australia,” Ms. Tabua added. “Often, she described her harsh treatment, where she was responsible for caring for thousands of sheep alone, a task far too vast for one person.” Christine felt her right to safety was ignored, revealing that she was reprimanded for asking for a break and was made to work continuously without time off.
A close family friend, Ross Johnston from Australia, denounced Christine’s death as a consequence of modern slavery. He emphasized that many workers under the PALM scheme are frightened to advocate for themselves due to a lack of rights. Mr. Johnston shared that during his interactions with Christine and her coworkers, he uncovered distressing revelations about the hardships faced by Pacific Island workers in Australia, indicating that conditions often mirror modern slavery.
On June 17, the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations in Fiji received a report from Australia’s Department of Employment indicating that Christine had sought medical assistance for a headache prior to being hospitalized. After undergoing two surgeries for a brain tumor at Austin Hospital in Melbourne, she was placed on life support, with her recovery deemed uncertain. Minister Agni Deo Singh stated that the ministry is investigating employment conditions raised on social media concerning former PALM workers and plans to meet with Australian officials and workers to address issues like racism, bullying, and exploitation.
According to Christine’s death certificate, she passed away due to meningioma, a type of tumor affecting the protective layers of the brain and spinal cord. Vani Catanasiga, executive director of the Fiji Council of Social Services, pointed out the failure of authorities on both sides to protect workers participating in the scheme. She criticized the situation as a moral failing in safeguarding the rights of Fijian workers in Australia.
The Australian High Commission in Suva has acknowledged the allegations regarding Christine’s treatment and asserted that the Australian government takes such claims seriously and will conduct prompt investigations.