Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka plans to utilize the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting to discuss the contentious Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM) with Australia’s Prime Minister. In an interview conducted in Tonga, Rabuka stated that it is necessary to reassess both the PALM scheme and the Seasonal Workers Scheme with New Zealand.
The PALM scheme has faced significant criticism due to serious allegations of unsafe and harsh working conditions impacting Fijian workers, which has prompted a governmental investigation. The issue gained further attention when Christine Lewailagi, a 24-year-old worker under the PALM scheme, passed away from a brain tumor earlier this year. Following her death, allegations emerged from her family regarding poor treatment, incidents of racism, and restrictions on healthcare and sick leave for workers, combined with threats about job security.
Rabuka described the scheme as akin to modern-day slavery. He mentioned that Minister Agni Deo Singh and Permanent Secretary Nemani Maritino have recently traveled to Australia to investigate these allegations. He emphasized that these concerns should be addressed at the ministerial level and indicated his intention to bring them up if he has the opportunity to meet with the Australian Prime Minister.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is anticipated to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. During his visit to Tonga, Rabuka met with the Fijian community, which voiced their worries regarding employment, particularly relating to the challenges faced in Australia and New Zealand. The gathering was attended by 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 raised by the Fijian community in Tonga included:
– Fijians being misled and drawn to work in Tonga under poor working conditions and breaches of employment contracts.
– Lack of a health scheme, with foreigners facing high maternity fees of around 2000 pa’anga (FJ$1871.93).
– Difficulties for Fijians in renewing their passports and the high airfare cost of 1200 pa’anga (FJ$1,123.16) for one-way flights on Fiji Airways, which the community is urging to be reduced.