The Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh, has confirmed that the Ministry is aware of a case recently shared on Facebook involving a former female worker of the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) program who passed away in June 2024.
Minister Singh noted that the deceased, Christine Lewailagi, left Fiji to work for Midfield Meat Group in Victoria in May 2022 as part of the scheme. On June 17, 2024, the Ministry received a notification from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) detailing that Ms. Lewailagi had been suffering from a headache a week prior and was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
She was subsequently transferred to Austin Hospital in Melbourne that same weekend for further evaluation and underwent two surgeries for a brain tumor. The report indicated that she was on life support and her recovery was uncertain, which was deeply unfortunate. Ms. Lewailagi passed away on June 19, 2024, and her body was repatriated on July 6 for burial in Fiji.
Minister Singh expressed that the employment conditions and concerns raised on social media are being seriously examined through the Country Liaison Officer in Victoria to ensure these issues are addressed. He stated, “The CLO, together with the DEWR, will verify concerns with the employer and our Fijian workers to guarantee that the welfare and well-being of our Fijian workers engaged in the scheme are safeguarded and that they are treated with respect.”
Additionally, Singh confirmed that the Employment Ministry plans to visit PALM workers in October to meet with Australian counterparts, employers, and Fijian workers to address issues such as racism, bullying, workload exploitation, threats, unsafe practices, arbitrary termination, and forced labor.
He emphasized that the Ministry aims to enhance its collaboration with Australian authorities and employers to implement better oversight mechanisms and ensure adherence to fair labor practices. This will involve regular workplace inspections, audits, and a strict policy against any form of exploitation or mistreatment.
In related news, during the Labour Mobility Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Suva last week, the Australian Workers Union (AWU) pledged its support to ensure that approved employers comply with minimum standards.