WHEN the six Fijian seasonal farm workers complained bitterly last year of exploitation and discrimination by their Australian employer, Fiji’s Ministry of Labour (MOL) jumped the gun to claim the six seasonal workers were lying. Now the truth is out and according to Australian authorities, our Fijian workers virtually got nothing from a week’s job and this calls for a thorough investigation and a full understanding of Australian labour laws.
Does Fiji’s MOL fully understand the nitty-gritty of how these farms work or is something missing that those selected were not aware of before departing our shores. Key information about wage deductions need to be explained to these workers from day 1.
I know of those in NZ who are being paid NZ Government’s minimum wage of $NZ15.25 per hour. If they work for 48 hours, they stand to collect more than $NZ700 a week.
If the report of less than $A200 is paid for a week’s work in Australia, this is equivalent to $A4.20 an hour. MOL must make a decision which country they should send our workers to. If they are being exploited and discriminated against in Australia, stop sending workers to Australia until and unless the Australian Government ensures our workers are treated the same way as Australian workers.
The key issue now in the latest complaint is about deductions. Any deduction must be explained and understood by the workers. Workers must be allowed to make choices about farm accommodation, places to shop, which medical insurance they should follow and other related miscellaneous expenses. At the end of the day, these choices or options must be well defined so these issues of over deductions do not occur.
I understand these farm workers stay in rented caravans, which are organised by the farm owners. Has MOL explored or enquired with caravan companies of possible supply of caravans to our workers, which I believe are much cheaper than those organised by farm owners. At the end of the day, MOL must see these seasonal farm workers have and make choices that are economical to workers themselves.
On the same note, MOL should engage Fijian communities in Australia to assist these so-called seasoned workers. Many of these workers are first timers in a foreign land and for that, Fijian communities, associations established in major Australian cities should be roped in to assist them on key issues.
I am of the opinion the farm owners organise everything for the workers and this is reflected on the deductions made on workers weekly pay slip. Regulatory deductions are unavoidable. However, MOL must work to see other deductions such as boarding are reduced or taken out completely, if external options of cheap boarding is available. At the end of the day, these workers applied for these job opportunities to earn some money and send some for those family members back at home.
Staying in a foreign land with only $15 in your pocket is a great injustice that Fiji’s MOL must ensure doesn’t happen to our citizens.
In my honest opinion, MOL needs to do more than just organising, selecting and sending these workers to Australian farms.
