ONLY about 3 per cent of Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers are leaving their jobs early, with the rate continuing to fall.
Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts said the declining disengagement rate showed the scheme was improving, while acknowledging there were still cases where workers left their employment and required support.
Speaking on The Fiji Times online portal Lens@177, Mr Roberts referred to the recent case of a Fijian PALM worker who disengaged from his job and was found living under a bridge in Australia earlier this year.
“Its down to about 3 per cent of people leave their employment. If possible, we want to support those people to re-engage, find another job,” he said.
“If not, then we have to all work with the community liaison officers and others to support those people because we don’t want anybody in tough situations.”
He said Australia had also strengthened compliance measures to ensure employers met their obligations.
Mr Roberts noted that PALM workers were entitled to the same employment conditions as Australian workers.
“That’s the rule. There’s a strong compliance system now because this isn’t PALM specific.
“In any sector, sometimes there are employers who don’t do the right thing.”
Mr Roberts said while some employers across different industries failed to do the right thing, compliance systems, community liaison officers and a 24-hour helpline were in place to respond to workplace issues and support workers facing difficulties.
“We don’t want anybody in tough situations.”
