Fiji Gets $400m from Seasonal Workers Under the PALM Scheme

Fiji gets $400 million from seasonal workers working in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme.

This was revealed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Namoli Methodist Church in Lautoka yesterday.

Mr Rabuka visited some seasonal workers at Teys Australia, a meat processing company headquartered in Queensland, Brisbane last week during his trip to Australia.

“I visited the workplace of Fijian meat workers. They were really happy when I came to meet them. I have been touched by these workers who sacrificed their time away from their families to work and support families in Fiji especially during the COVID pandemic period,” Mr Rabuka said.

“About $400 million has been invested back into the country from NEC workers. I am so grateful to them that they not only invested back to their families, but also invested to the growth of businesses and the economy.’

Mr Rabuka said Fijian seasonal workers had been good ambassadors in Australia.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the Fijian delegation visits seasonal workers under the the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme at Teys Australia company in Queensland. Photo: DEPTFO

“Seasonal workers from other countries have been involved in criminal activities, but our workers are in good record. It is because they were carefully briefed from their homes, their vanua and Government about their good conduct.”

Mr Rabuka commended the Australian government for opening doors to Fiji and the Pacific through the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV).

“It will be easier for us to travel to Australia for work. We are thankful for the government of Australia for giving us this opportunity.”

PEV is set to revolutionise permanent migration from the Pacific creating stronger ties between Australia and the region.

The PEV aims to foster cultural, business, and educational exchange by allocating up to 3000 visas annually through a fair and transparent ballot process.

Priority is given to countries with limited permanent migration opportunities to Australia or with limited citizenship rights in New Zealand, France, and the United States. Participating countries may include Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

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