Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka plans to address the contentious Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM) during the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting, where he intends to discuss the issue with his Australian counterpart. In a statement made in Tonga, Rabuka emphasized the need 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 affecting Fijian workers, prompting a government investigation. The situation was further highlighted by the tragic death of 24-year-old Christine Lewailagi, who passed away from a brain tumor while participating in the program in Australia. Following her death, her relatives raised serious concerns about the treatment of workers including accusations of racism, inadequate healthcare, limited sick leave, and threats faced by laborers regarding job security.
Rabuka described the situation as a form of modern-day slavery and noted that the Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh, along with his Permanent Secretary, had recently traveled to Australia to investigate the allegations. He expressed that this matter should be addressed at the ministerial level and stated his intent to bring it to the Prime Minister’s attention if he is present at the meeting.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is anticipated to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, scheduled for tomorrow. During his visit to Tonga, Rabuka also met with the Fijian community, where they expressed concerns regarding work-related issues faced by Fijians in Australia and New Zealand.
Among those present were 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 subjected to poor working conditions and breaches of employment contracts.
– The absence of a health scheme requiring foreigners to pay approximately 2000 pa’anga (FJ$1871.93) for maternity fees.
– Difficulties for Fijians in renewing passports and high airfare costs, with one-way tickets on Fiji Airways priced at 1200 pa’anga (FJ$1,123.16), which they have requested be reduced.