Tonga in new Pacific Seasonal Pilot scheme to Australia [1]
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 08:31. Updated on Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 16:26.
The Australian Government is introducing a new three-year Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme to four Pacific Island countries to work in the horticulture industry in regional Australia.
The Australian High Commissioner in Tonga, HE Dr Bruce Hunt confirmed yesterday, that the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the new scheme in Australia on August 17.
He said the Pacific group of workers is expected to leave for Australia under the scheme before Christmas of this year.
In a statement form the Australian High Commission, Nuku'alofa, announced that the scheme will receive up to 2,500 workers from Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu and no quota has been issued.
The workers will take part in the three-year program and work up to seven months a year in the horticulture industry.
Warning
It emphasised that until recruitment arrangements are officially advised, those interested in participating in the scheme should not accept offers from groups or individuals purporting to offer placements in the scheme in return for payment.
Australia will soon be establishing with participant countries clear, transparent and officially-sanctioned recruitment arrangements. These will be advised in due course but until then no visa applications for the scheme will be considered or processed.
The scheme will include strict conditions to ensure there is no exploitation of Pacific workers and no undercutting of Australian working standards. The Australian Government said the pilot scheme demonstrates their new partnership and links with their Pacific island neighbours.
To maximise the chances of success, the scheme includes one country each from Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia with a proven track record of sending labour, under appropriate conditions like the existing New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme.
The new scheme will be reviewed after 18 months to ensure it is meeting the needs of Australian employers and Pacific Island workers.
Not cheap labour
The Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Burke in a press release, said Pacific workers would receive the same protection from exploitation as Australian workers.
"Pacific Island workers are not a cheap labour option and employers will pay half of their return air fares, and cover establishment and pastoral care costs involved in bringing Pacific island workers to Australia,... Mr Burke said.