90 Fijian workers have departed for Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, carrying the hopes of their families.
Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh encouraged the workers to remain focused, uphold Fiji’s values, protect their reputations and understand their workplace rights and responsibilities.
The group includes 57 new workers and 33 returning workers, who will be deployed to 15 approved employers across the meat works, hospitality and agriculture sectors.
Minister Singh acknowledged the strong Fiji–Australia partnership, the approved employers, and the training officials who prepared the workers for deployment.
Currently, around 5,500 Fijians are working in Australia under the PALM Scheme, remitting an average of AUD $1,300 per month which is about FJD $1,990, contributing significantly to both family livelihoods and national development.