Under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, workers experience overcrowding living conditions, inadequate pay due to unauthorised deductions, and long working hours with no overtime payment which contribute to stress and psychological effect.
This was highlighted by Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh while delivering his ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday.
He said during his recent visit to Australia, he was told workers under the PALM scheme faced several challenges during their employment there including family separation and workplace mistreatment.
He said they faced severe exploitation or mistreatment in their workplaces, which could later have a negative effect on their mental wellbeing. “The Fijian Government recognises the potential risk faced by labour mobility workers,” Mr Singh said.
“It is important for both the sending and receiving countries to recognise these potential risks and implement measures to support the mental wellbeing of labour mobility workers.
“This can include providing cultural orientation, language training, social support networks and above all ensuring fair treatment and protection of workers.
“The challenges that our workers encounter requires a comprehensive approach to address the issue.
“The issues need to be addressed urgently with our Australian counterparts to ensure the principle of fairness, equality, respect and dignity is upheld.”
He said some of the workers had assisted their families back home in Fiji through home construction, farming, land cultivation, income generating incentives and better education for children.
Mr Singh said the Fijian diaspora was also engaged to provide support and advice to Fijian workers under the scheme, with a focus on ensuring their dignity and integrity were maintained.
He added the Fiji Government had appointed four country liaison officers to assist with the PALM Scheme, including two officers already appointed and two to be appointed in the new year.
