A villager from Lau says the Australian seasonal work programme has done wonders for him and his family.

Luke Cama, 28, is now AU$17,000 (F$26,749.50) richer after successfully completing his contract under the seasonal workers programme in Australia.

The Australian seasonal worker programme was introduced by the Fijian Government to help unemployed Fijians work in Australia in various farms.

“I worked at a farm in Queensland harvesting bananas. My shopping for a week was A$20 and that was enough, my rent was A$150 per month which included water and electricity bills,” the villager from Lomati, Matuku, said.

“We were paid A$22.13 per hour and had to work for 38 hours a week.”

Mr Cama said their employers were good and they didn’t mistreat them like some other Fijian seasonal workers were talking about.

“I have brought back A$17,000, I will buy a fiberglass boat and build my house in the village with this money. My wife is happy,” he said.

“I just want to thank the Bainimarama Government through the Ministry for Employment for giving us this opportunity.”

He travelled on a six-months contract and worked at a banana farm in Queensland.

“The Ministry for Employment came to conduct recruitments last October.

“All I provided was my passport and the other processes were handled by them, and within the three days it was approved,” Mr Cama said.

He was among the 23 Fijians who went on the programme.

Mr Cama is advising other Fijians wishing to go work overseas to follow the procedures through Government’s seasonal workers programme.

“I have been listening to the news on how Fijians are complaining about the seasonal workers programme in Australia.

“I have come back happy, with good money and I don’t see any reason why they are complaining,” he said.

“When we go work there through the programme, people should keep in mind that they are on a work visa and not a tourist visa. They should try to set a goal and work hard towards achieving them there.”

Mr Cama said if people followed the right procedures then there shouldn’t be a problem at all.

He arrived from Australia last week and is expected to return there under the same programme in the next six months.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback:  arieta.vakasukawaqa@fijisun.com.fj