Australian delegation discusses Pacific Seasonal Workers scheme [1]
Friday, September 19, 2008 - 11:41. Updated on Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 15:58.
A new Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot scheme was discussed by an Australian five-members delegation who were in Tonga last week and have completed their first round trip to the four participating island countries.
The Acting Australian High Commissioner in Tonga, Carole Gransbury, said on September 18 that the delegation returned to Australia after visiting Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Papua New Guinea.
She said because this was the first initial meeting with the participating countries nothing had been confirmed, as more discussions will be held later to further explore the scheme with more teams visiting, before they get closer to producing a Memorandum of Understanding.
The team led by Mr Carters of the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations held discussions with the Tongan Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele and the Minister of Labour, Commerce and Small Industries Hon. Lisiate 'Akolo.
The Acting High Commissioner stressed that during their trip the delegation wanted to get the message across to people that until recruitment arrangements are finalised they should be very aware of anyone purporting to be an agent and promising jobs or asking money on the promise of a job.
Australia needs the first 100 workers by December.
The delegation visiting Tonga from September 6-9 included representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Immigration and AusAid in Canberra.