Agni Deo Singh, the Minister of Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations, has addressed the recent concerns regarding the death of a former female employee of Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) who died in June 2024, a matter that was recently discussed on social media platforms.
Minister Singh confirmed that Christine Lewailagi, the deceased employee, departed Fiji in May 2022 to work for Midfield Meat Group in Victoria as part of the PALM initiative.
According to the Minister, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) informed the Ministry about the incident on June 17, 2024. The report indicated that Ms. Lewailagi had been hospitalized for assessment a week earlier due to persistent headaches. Following this, she was transferred to Austin Hospital in Melbourne for further evaluation, during which she underwent two procedures for brain tumors. The report detailed that her condition was critical, and she was placed on life support.
Ms. Lewailagi passed away on June 19, 2024, without recovering from her condition. Her body was repatriated to Fiji for burial on July 6.
The Minister noted that the Country Liaison Officer in Victoria is actively overseeing the challenges and workplace conditions highlighted on social media, assuring that actions will be taken to address these matters.
“To ensure the welfare and rights of our Fijian workers involved in the scheme are safeguarded, the CLO and DEWR will engage with both the employer and our Fijian workers to resolve any reported issues,” Singh stated.
He also mentioned that in October, the Fijian government will visit PALM workers to discuss various issues such as workplace discrimination, bullying, exploitation, unsafe working conditions, wrongful termination, and forced labor. Meetings will also be held with Australian officials, employers, and Fijian workers part of the program.
The Ministry aims to collaborate more effectively with businesses and Australian authorities to enhance monitoring procedures and ensure compliance with fair labor practices. This initiative will involve regular workplace audits and inspections, in addition to upholding a strict zero-tolerance policy against any form of abuse or exploitation.
During a recent Labour Mobility Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Suva, the Australian Workers Union (AWU) expressed their commitment to ensuring that certified companies meet essential criteria for labor practices.
As part of the Vuvale collaboration agreement, the Employment Ministry will continue to address ongoing issues associated with the PALM program through regular discussions with its Australian counterparts, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Environment and Resources (DERR).