Government has taken pro-active steps to address concerns related to the treatment and welfare of its workers participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh assured that the Government was working diligently to ensure the rights and needs of workers under the scheme were met effectively.

Mr Singh’s remarks come amid reports of ill-treatment, with some workers alleging exploitation and labelling their experiences as “modern slavery.”

“We have been to Australia three times since we came into Government,” Mr Singh said.

“We have met with workers, we have met with employers, we have met with the representatives of the government, including my counterparts, and we have raised all those concerns that our workers have raised with us, and we have seen a marked improvement.

“We have also appointed three country liaison officers, and these liaison officers are accessible to all the workers in Australia, and the workers can contact them directly if they have any concerns regarding their terms and conditions at work.”

One of the key issues raised by workers was access to healthcare.

According to Mr Singh, the Government has established a healthcare scheme for PALM workers, where they contribute a weekly payment to ensure coverage.

In addition to healthcare, workers are insured for repatriation in case of an emergency, as well as for any injuries that may occur during their employment.

“The Australian Government has also assured us that the compliance and the minimum standards will be adhered to, and the provisions that they have in their own law is going to ensure that our workers are treated equally as well as the local workers in Australia.”

Mr Singh said these efforts were designed to ensure Fijian workers were afforded the same rights and protections as local workers in Australia.