Selected Fijian workers to Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme are urged to follow proper grievance procedures they were advised of during their pre-departure trainings.

Acting Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Filimoni Vosarogo made the comment following a number of social media posts where Fijian PALM workers were complaining about their hours of work, the status of their accommodation, and other issues that could have been addressed earlier had they followed proper grievance channels.

“My advice to you today is not to vent your complaints and frustrations on social media but directly liaise with your host employers, relevant Australian institutions and officers at the National Employment Centre (NEC) here in Fiji,” Mr Vosarogo said.

“Should you have issues, please raise them earlier and do not prolong them, so they are conceivably addressed as soon as practicable.”

Mr Vosarogo also reminded the selected workers that the program was a government-to-government arrangement under the Vuvale partnership agreement and “both governments with their relevant institutions are there to assist them 24/7”.