Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is set to address his Australian counterpart at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting regarding the contentious Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM). In an interview held in Tonga, Mr. Rabuka emphasized the need to reassess both the PALM and the Seasonal Workers Scheme with New Zealand.
The PALM scheme has faced significant backlash due to serious allegations of unsafe and harsh working conditions affecting Fijian workers, prompting a government investigation into these claims. The situation garnered heightened attention following the death of 24-year-old Christine Lewailagi, who succumbed to a brain tumor while working under the scheme in Australia. Allegations from her relatives detail poor treatment, incidents of racism, restrictive healthcare access, and threats of job loss.
Mr. Rabuka condemned the scheme, describing it as a form of modern-day slavery. He noted that Minister Agni Deo Singh and his Permanent Secretary Nemani Maritino have recently visited Australia to investigate the allegations. “This is an issue that requires ministerial attention. If the Prime Minister is present, I will bring it up with him,” he stated.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to participate in the forum tomorrow. Meanwhile, Mr. Rabuka engaged with the Fijian community in Tonga, where discussions highlighted employment challenges faced by Fijians in Australia and New Zealand.
Concerns shared by the Fijian community included reports of workers being misled regarding job conditions in Tonga, the absence of a health scheme that imposes hefty maternity fees on foreign workers, and difficulties in renewing passports, which complicate travel back to Fiji due to high airfare costs. Fijians expressed the need for more affordable travel options, with one-way fares on Fiji Airways reaching 1200 pa’anga (approximately FJ$1,123.16).