Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka plans to address the controversial Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM) during the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting, focusing on discussions with his Australian counterpart.
In an interview in Tonga, Rabuka emphasized the need to reassess both the PALM scheme and the Seasonal Workers Scheme with New Zealand. The PALM initiative has faced significant criticism due to allegations of harsh and unsafe working conditions for Fijians, leading the Fijian government to initiate an investigation.
The scrutiny intensified following the tragic death of 24-year-old Christine Lewailagi, who passed away from a brain tumor while employed under the PALM scheme in Australia in June. Subsequent reports from her relatives highlighted claims of mistreatment, racial discrimination, inadequate healthcare, and job security threats. Rabuka denounced the scheme as a form of modern-day slavery.
“The minister (Agni Deo Singh) and his Permanent Secretary (Nemani Maritino) have been in Australia over the past few days seeking the facts regarding these allegations,” Rabuka noted, asserting that the matter should be addressed at the ministerial level. He reiterated his intention to raise the issue directly with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is expected to attend the forum meeting.
During Rabuka’s visit, the Fijian community in Tonga expressed various concerns, particularly about employment challenges faced by Fijians in Australia and New Zealand. Key figures present included Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Sakiasi Ditoka, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Filipo Tarakinikini, and High Commissioner to New Zealand Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.
Community members raised specific issues, such as Fijians being misled into poor working conditions in Tonga and violations of their employment contracts. They also criticized the absence of a health scheme, with foreign workers having to pay significant maternity fees, and highlighted the challenges in renewing passports, compounded by high airfare costs to Fiji, which they would like to see reduced.