A family’s plans to celebrate their father’s 50th birthday in Tau Village, Nadroga, have been overshadowed by the tragic death of their daughter, Christine Lewailagi, 24, who passed away under mysterious circumstances in June. Christine had been working in Melbourne, Australia, as part of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme to help support her family financially.
Her parents, Sairusi Nadiligo and Sainimere Tabua, are desperate for answers regarding their daughter’s untimely death. “We are searching for answers and seeking justice for her death,” Ms. Tabua said, fighting back tears. Christine left Fiji in May 2022 and worked as a slaughterhouse assistant for Midfield Meat Group in Victoria, utilizing a PALM Scheme Visa 403. Her mother claimed that Christine was subjected to “systemic abuse and modern-day slavery,” a common plight for many Pacific Islands workers in seasonal employment.
“She would call home regularly, expressing feelings of mistreatment,” Ms. Tabua recounted. She reported that Christine often faced overwhelming work demands, managing thousands of sheep on her own and being treated harshly by her employer. Christine claimed she was not allowed necessary breaks, leading to deteriorating mental and physical health.
A close family friend in Australia, Ross Johnston, referred to her death as indicative of “modern-day slavery.” He expressed that many workers feel too intimidated to speak out due to lack of rights, with numerous Fijian workers confirming similar experiences when he shared his Facebook post about Christine’s situation. Johnston, who visited Christine regularly, described her time with him as a brief escape from her difficult job. He noted the shocking accounts from her co-workers upon collecting her belongings after her death.
On June 17, reports emerged that Christine had been admitted to the hospital suffering from a headache and later diagnosed with a brain tumor. After two surgeries and being placed on life support, her condition was uncertain until her passing. The Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh, stated that the Ministry was investigating the employment conditions highlighted in social media posts and planned to visit PALM workers in October to address issues such as racism, bullying, and exploitation.
Christine’s death certificate attributed her passing to meningioma, a type of brain tumor. Vani Catanasiga, the executive director of the Fiji Council of Social Services, criticized both the Fijian and Australian authorities for failing to protect workers participating in the PALM Scheme, emphasizing that Australia must uphold its human rights obligations to safeguard those who contribute to its economy.
The Australian High Commission in Fiji confirmed awareness of the allegations concerning Ms. Lewailagi and assured that all claims of worker mistreatment would be taken seriously and investigated promptly.