Workers Urged to Save, Return Home

Government has urged the 205 selected workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme to save money and avoid overstaying.

The Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh, delivered this message at the pre-departure briefing at Khastriya Hall in Suva on Thursday.

“The reason you are leaving your loved ones here, your wife, your children, your parents, your relatives, is because you want to go there, earn some money, save it and bring it home,” Mr Singh told the workers.

He warned against sending excessive remittances back to Fiji, suggesting a more balanced approach.

“If you’re working here and earning $200 a week, and then you go to Australia and start earning, if you think $200 is enough, just send $200. Don’t send $500,” he said.

The minister strongly cautioned against attempting to remain in Australia after their contracts end.

“Our contract says you are there for this long, whether it’s two years, three years or four years. After that you are coming back,” he said.

“Our contract states that you are there for a specific period, whether its two years, three years, or four years. After that, you are coming back,” he added.

The workers, who were selected based on fitness, youth, good character, and clean records, were reminded that Australian labour laws would apply equally to them as to Australian workers.

“The labour laws of Australia will apply to you equally as they apply to the Australian worker,” Mr Singh said.

He highlighted that the ministry had appointed three Country Liaison Officers (CLOs) to assist workers with any problems or complaints.

The workers also completed four days of training including financial literacy education to prepare them for their overseas employment.

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