Concerns surrounding the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme have intensified, particularly following reports that 129 Fijian workers are struggling to provide adequate support for their families back home. Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh has acknowledged this critical issue and identified it as a priority for government officials.
The PALM scheme has engaged numerous Fijians across various sectors, including agriculture, aged care, and meat processing. In response to the emerging issues, Minister Singh revealed plans for discussions with Australian authorities to introduce direct salary deductions and remittance systems. This initiative is designed to ensure that families in Fiji receive timely financial support from their working relatives abroad. Singh stated, “Once that is approved and put into practice, all employees that we dispatch to work in Australia and New Zealand are going to be required to sign up those consent forms before they depart.”
To further safeguard the welfare of these workers, country liaison officers will be deployed to monitor compliance and ensure the well-being of participants in the scheme. The proposed direct remittance system, along with enhanced supervisory measures, aims to alleviate social pressures and secure critical support for families in Fiji. These initiatives are anticipated to reinforce the integrity of the PALM scheme while fostering family unity.
Minister Singh has previously highlighted the proactive steps being implemented by the Fijian government, which includes pre-departure briefings to prepare workers for their overseas employment experiences. The PALM scheme not only seeks to protect workers’ rights but also to create economic opportunities while ensuring families are adequately supported.
Additionally, successful initiatives like the Family Accompaniment pilot have been introduced, allowing some families to join their members working in Australia, thus lessening the emotional and social strains of separation. Since its inception in 2021, the scheme has facilitated the migration of over 9,000 Fijians to Australia and New Zealand, with only a few welfare issues reported.
As the Fijian government continues to refine and enhance the PALM program, it remains devoted to empowering workers and reinforcing connections with their families back home. The focus on financial support, adherence to work contracts, and provision of necessary support services presents an optimistic future for many Fijian families navigating international labor opportunities.