Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers often cease sending remittances home within six months to a year, says permanent secretary for Employment Maretino Nemani.
According to Mr Nemani this trend was highlighted in a study conducted in collaboration with UNICEF.
Mr Nemani explained that while workers initially send money back to support their families, the pressures of their new environment can lead to a disconnect.
“In the first six months to one year, we realise they continue to send money home, but as they adapt and form new connections, we begin to see a break in communication with their families,” Mr Nemani said.
He emphasised that the comfort of new friendships and community ties abroad can overshadow their commitments to families in Fiji.
He said this separation could have significant emotional impacts on children left behind.
While he acknowledged that not all workers experience this disconnect, pointing out that many successfully maintain their commitments.
“That’s when there’s a break point. That’s when we realised that these connections happen to their families.
“So, that’s something that we’ve recognised, and how do we fix that?”
He said the ministry was actively seeking solutions to address these challenges and support affected families.
“A good number of our workers going across that side are doing it very well.
“So, again, the study shows that this is the impact it has on the separation of families and children that are behind.
“But I think that’s from a general observation that we’ve observed during the period when workers go across.”
