Pacific Islander workers in Australia are reportedly leaving their positions on farms and job sites due to feelings of mistreatment and a lack of voice in what some have characterized as “modern slavery.” Emelda Davis, the president of Australian South Sea Islanders Port Jackson, has expressed her concerns about the silence surrounding these issues, stating that the current system leaves workers vulnerable and discouraged.
Davis pointed out that many workers from countries like Fiji and Vanuatu are seeking alternative employment in cash-in-hand construction jobs as a means of survival after departing from placements facilitated by the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. Those who abandon their jobs often risk being labeled as “absconders,” facing potential deportation because of strict visa regulations that tie them to a single employer.
Davis emphasized that the rights of these workers should align with those of other Australians, arguing that they should not be forced to work for employers against their will. She attributed the vulnerability of these laborers to the existing visa framework, which allows labor hire companies to exploit workers by controlling their contracts.
In response, a spokesperson from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations highlighted that the government is actively working to improve the PALM program. They noted a decline in departures from the program, from 10 percent in 2020-2021 to 5 percent in 2023-2024. Additionally, a special task force has been created to investigate the reasons behind workers leaving and to identify ways to better support them, including a helpline for workers and community members to express concerns.
However, Davis insists that significant changes are still necessary to provide these workers with the dignity, freedom, and voice they deserve. Meanwhile, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh, has promised a forthcoming response regarding this issue.
Moreover, reflecting on the ongoing dialogue surrounding worker rights, the Fijian government has voiced its commitment to improving conditions for its workers involved in the PALM scheme. Minister Singh has previously articulated that while enhancing working conditions, the focus will remain on ensuring the rights and dignity of all workers in this mobility program.
This ongoing conversation not only highlights the challenges faced by Pacific Islander workers but also illustrates the collective efforts being made to address and improve their situation, fostering hope for necessary reforms and supportive structures in the future.
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