A family in Tau Village, Nadroga, is facing heartbreak as plans for their father’s 50th birthday celebration have been canceled following the tragic death of their daughter, Christine Lewailagi, 24. Christine passed away in June under circumstances that have raised questions. She had been working under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme in Melbourne, Australia, when her parents, Sairusi Nadiligo and Sainimere Tabua, received the devastating news.
“Seeking answers and justice for her death,” Ms. Tabua stated tearfully when approached for comments. Like many Fijians participating in seasonal work abroad, Christine had left Fiji in May 2022 to help her family financially. She was employed as a slaughterhouse assistant with Midfield Meat Group in Victoria under the PALM Scheme Visa 403.
Ms. Tabua claimed her daughter was subjected to “systemic abuse and modern-day slavery,” a common experience for many Pacific Island workers. Christine reportedly spoke daily with her family, sharing her experiences of mistreatment. “She related how she was treated cruelly at work, often tasked with caring for 5,000 to 6,000 sheep all by herself, a daunting task she felt was impossible to manage alone,” Ms. Tabua recounted.
Amidst their search for clarity regarding Christine’s death, a family friend, Ross Johnston from Australia, characterized her passing as a result of “modern-day slavery.” He highlighted the fears faced by many workers under the PALM scheme, who often refrain from speaking out due to a lack of rights. Johnston, who considered Christine a granddaughter, expressed his sorrow over her death and the larger implications it has for Pacific Island workers in Australia.
On June 17, Christine was hospitalized after experiencing severe headaches, later undergoing two surgeries for a brain tumor at Austin Hospital in Melbourne. The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations in Fiji received a report about her condition and is now addressing the concerns raised regarding the treatment of workers in Australia. Minister Agni Deo Singh revealed plans for a visit to Australian PALM workers in October to investigate issues such as bullying, exploitation, and unsafe working conditions.
Christine’s death certificate noted that she succumbed to meningioma, a tumor impacting the protective layers of her brain and spinal cord. Vani Catanasiga, the executive director of the Fiji Council of Social Services, criticized the lack of oversight in the Vuvale partnership between Fiji and Australia, asserting that both governments must do more to safeguard the rights of Fijian workers abroad.
The Australian High Commission in Suva has acknowledged the allegations regarding Ms. Lewailagi’s treatment and stated that they would take such claims seriously, promising thorough investigations into the matter.