Agni Deo Singh, the Minister of Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations, has addressed concerns regarding the recent death of a former employee of Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) that has been circulating on social media. This incident involves Ms. Christine Lewailagi, who passed away in June 2024 after leaving Fiji in May 2022 to work with Midfield Meat Group in Victoria as part of the PALM program.
Minister Singh revealed that the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) informed the Ministry about the case on June 17, 2024. Reports indicated that Ms. Lewailagi had been hospitalized a week prior for evaluation of her headaches. She was subsequently transferred to Austin Hospital in Melbourne for further assessments, including two brain tumor surgeries. Unfortunately, she was placed on life support and did not recover.
Ms. Lewailagi died on June 19, 2024, with her remains repatriated to Fiji for burial on July 6.
Minister Singh noted that the Country Liaison Officer in Victoria is actively monitoring the challenges and job conditions raised on social media and will take necessary measures to address these concerns. He emphasized the commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Fijian workers involved in the PALM scheme, ensuring they are treated with dignity.
To address issues such as racism, bullying, workload exploitation, and unsafe practices, the Fijian government, through the Employment Ministry, plans to visit PALM workers in October. During this visit, they will also engage with Australian employers and counterparts.
The Ministry aims to enhance collaboration with Australian authorities and businesses to reinforce oversight and guarantee adherence to fair labor practices. This includes initiating regular audits and enforcing a strict no-tolerance policy against any form of abuse.
The Australian Workers Union (AWU) has recently expressed support during the Labour Mobility Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Suva, pledging to ensure that certified companies meet minimum standards.
Under the Vuvale cooperation agreement, the Employment Ministry will continue to engage in discussions with Australian counterparts, specifically the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Environment and Resources (DERR), to address ongoing issues related to the PALM program.