Fiji Extends Suspension of Labour Mobility Programs: What’s Next?

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) program and the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) work schemes in Fiji will continue to suspend new registrations until further notice. This announcement was made by the National Employment Centre (NEC) as the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations addresses a substantial backlog of approximately 35,000 pending applications.

Permanent Secretary of Employment, Maritino Nemani, highlighted that the suspension was initially imposed in December 2023 and was expected to be lifted in July 2024. However, with a significant influx of applications, the NEC deemed it necessary to extend the pause on new registrations. Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh had earlier informed Parliament that since the start of the seasonal worker program in Australia in 2021, about 6,669 Fijian workers have participated, with around 5,000 still in Australia and about 700 currently employed in New Zealand.

Nemani assured the public that the NEC is dedicated to efficiently processing the current backlog, with the aim to resume registrations “as soon as possible.” He emphasized the importance of these labor mobility programs for the Fijian population, which provide critical opportunities for economic stability and growth for families.

While the ongoing suspension poses challenges for prospective applicants, the government’s commitment to managing the backlog responsibly suggests a hopeful outlook. By resolving these administrative issues, the Ministry strives to establish a more effective and streamlined registration process that can benefit Fijian workers in the long run.

In summary, the efforts underway to process applications efficiently reflect a commitment to fair treatment of all applicants, thus enabling the eventual resumption of new registrations and greater opportunities for the Fijian workforce. The current challenges are seen as stepping stones toward a more robust labor mobility framework in the future, ultimately benefitting many families and communities across Fiji.