Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka plans to address the controversial Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM) during the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting, specifically with his Australian counterpart. In an interview in Tonga, Mr. Rabuka stated, “It’s time we relook at the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme and the Seasonal Workers Scheme with New Zealand.”
The PALM scheme has faced significant criticism due to allegations of harsh and unsafe working conditions affecting Fijians, prompting a government investigation. In June, Christine Lewailagi, a 24-year-old worker under the PALM scheme in Australia, passed away from a brain tumor. Her family has reported various issues, including allegations of poor treatment, racism, restrictions on healthcare and sick leave, and threats of job loss.
Mr. Rabuka described the scheme as a form of modern-day slavery. He noted that Minister Agni Deo Singh and his Permanent Secretary Nemani Maritino have recently traveled to Australia to uncover the truth behind these allegations. “It is an issue that should be dealt with at the ministerial level. If the Prime Minister is here, I will raise it with him,” he said.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting tomorrow. During his visit to Tonga, Mr. Rabuka met with the Fijian community, where concerns regarding employment issues in Australia and New Zealand were discussed. Other attendees included Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Sakiasi Ditoka, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Filipo Tarakinikini, and Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
Concerns voiced by the Fijian community in Tonga included reports of workers being deceived and subjected to poor working conditions, a lack of healthcare options forcing foreigners to pay around $2,000 pa’anga (approximately FJ$1,871.93) for maternity care, and difficulties surrounding passport renewals and high travel costs to Fiji, with one-way airfare on Fiji Airways costing Fijians approximately 1,200 pa’anga (FJ$1,123.16). Fijians have called for a reduction in these travel costs.