Seasonal workers participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme are reportedly facing significant challenges, including overcrowded living conditions and exorbitant rents. Emelda Davis, president of Australian South Sea Islanders Port Jackson, has raised concerns after witnessing these conditions firsthand during her visits to worker accommodations in regional Queensland.
Workers are reportedly paying as much as $160 per bed each week, leading to total costs of $800 for a single room that houses multiple bunk beds. Davis has denounced these charges as “outrageous” and indicative of exploitation, particularly in towns where the cost of living is supposed to be lower.
During her visits to various locations, including Cairns, Tully, Mareeba, Townsville, and the Burdekin, Davis spoke with seasonal workers hailing from Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and Fiji. They shared stories of poor housing conditions, high rents, and additional charges for basic necessities like transport, further exacerbating their financial burdens.
Davis’s comments echo criticisms raised in the past regarding the PALM scheme, which has been the subject of scrutiny following various allegations of unsafe working conditions and maltreatment of workers. This aligns with concerns expressed by Fijian government officials and community leaders, including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who has likened certain practices associated with the scheme to modern-day slavery.
In light of these pressing issues, Davis is calling for immediate reforms to enhance accommodation standards and introduce better protections for workers enrolled in the PALM scheme. Meanwhile, Agni Deo Singh, the Australian Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations, has stated that a response addressing these concerns will be forthcoming.
As these discussions unfold, it becomes increasingly essential for authorities to address worker welfare and uphold the dignity of those laboring within the PALM scheme. There is hope that reforms will lead to improved conditions, creating a more equitable environment for seasonal workers.
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