Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh says the government is actively addressing concerns surrounding Fijian workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, including issues related to family separation, worker welfare, and delays in recruitment processes.
Addressing social concerns linked to workers abroad, Singh says that the Ministry of Employment’s authority is limited.
He says the law does not in any way give them the mandate to force a worker in Australia or New Zealand to return to Fiji because of any extramarital affair or any other reason of this nature.
INSERT: Minister on social concerns 2nd Feb
Singh says workers receive pre-departure training to ensure they remember their responsibilities and continue sending required remittances to support their families.
He highlighted that the government has strengthened its overseas support network.
He says that when they came into government, there was no country liaison officer in Australia or in New Zealand, and in the last three years, they have appointed four in Australia and one in New Zealand.
He adds that these officers assist both workers and employers whenever issues arise, ensuring concerns are addressed quickly and efficiently.
The Minister has dismissed claims that Australian and New Zealand employers are refusing to hire Fijian workers due to crime or domestic violence issues, saying that the government has not received any reports of such cases.
He says that all those involved in illegal activities are not among the workers who went through the NEC process.
He adds that they either travelled on a different type of visa or are citizens of the country.
Singh says that while the vast majority of workers comply with regulations and behave responsibly, a small number attempt to remain overseas illegally; however, these cases are isolated and do not reflect the broader workforce.
The Minister also reassured that the Ministry continues to monitor overseas employment programmes closely to ensure that both workers and employers meet their obligations.
