The registration of new applicants for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) program and the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) work schemes in Fiji will continue to be suspended indefinitely, according to the National Employment Centre (NEC) under the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations. This suspension, initially imposed in December 2023, has been extended due to an ongoing backlog of around 35,000 applications that need to be processed.

Permanent Secretary of Employment, Maritino Nemani, stated that while there were earlier expectations to lift the suspension, the NEC must prioritize resolving the substantial number of pending applications. In recent communications to Parliament, Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh revealed that since the beginning of the seasonal worker program in 2021, approximately 6,669 Fijian workers have participated in the program in Australia, with about 5,000 still currently employed there. Additionally, around 700 Fijian workers are engaged in seasonal work in New Zealand.

Nemani reassured the public that the ministry is diligently working to process existing applications and aims to resume new registrations as soon as the backlog is adequately addressed. He emphasized the critical role these labor mobility programs play for the Fijian community and the government’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of these initiatives.

While the extension of the suspension poses immediate challenges for new applicants, it reflects a responsible approach by the Ministry of Employment to guarantee fair treatment for those currently in the application process. There is optimism that once the backlog is cleared, the registration process will become more streamlined, leading to better opportunities for Fijian workers and their families seeking employment abroad.

In summary, although the continuation of this suspension introduces uncertainty for potential applicants, it highlights the government’s dedication to resolving existing challenges. There is hope for enhanced future access to overseas job opportunities for Fijian workers as the NEC works towards a more efficient registration system.