The Ministry of Employment in Fiji has announced a new policy that will no longer allow couples to work abroad under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
This decision comes in response to a study conducted in collaboration with UNICEF, which indicated that prolonged separations negatively affect family dynamics and children’s wellbeing.
Permanent secretary for Employment Ministry Maretino Nemani explained that the ministry has revised its recruitment processes.
“Previously, both members of a couple could be sent abroad if they were unemployed,” Mr Nemani said.
“But now, only one partner will be permitted to go. So the children are left at the mercy of their guardians or their relatives.
“We have now stopped that because we say only one can go.
“If you qualify, you go under the scheme.”
He said this change aimed to reduce the number of children left in the care of relatives or guardians during these separations.
Mr Nemani also noted the importance of providing support to workers abroad, highlighting the role of country liaison officers.
“Currently, there are three liaison officers stationed in Australia, with plans to add a fourth. These officers are available around the clock to assist workers, offering counselling and support as needed. They work 24/7 in Australia, 2am or 4am or 10pm.”
Additionally, the ministry has enhanced its financial literacy programs to help workers manage their finances effectively while abroad.
“We’ve increased that as well so that people going across, our workers going across know that they are there to achieve their goals, they are there to manage their finances so that they know how much money they need to send back home.
“The notion around savings is very, very important for Australia.”
