It was very assuring that the Ministry of Finance which is now responsible for the seasonal workers is on top of things when it comes to dealing with complaints about mistreatment at workplaces but it is also saddening to know that people are still being treated in an inhumane manner.

According to claims by an Australian and a Samoan worker, they were tagged with ribbons and paraded like animals. This is uncalled for. If these workers were Australians, then this would not happen. There is a level of discrimination based on ethnicity which is still being practiced in some workplaces where our seasonal workers are placed.

It is not in every workplace but a few, however, in a nation where the labour and employment laws are stringent, such bullying and mistreatment should not happen. This is not slavery, seasonal workers are in Australia through an agreement between the governments of Australia and Samoa.

The duty of care should be more on the Australian government as our men and women are working in their country.

However, as the government of the people, more needs to be done from our end to ensure such treatment does not take place.

In response to the claims of bullying, the Government of Samoa said it was liaising with its Australia-based officials to take appropriate action.

Ministry of Finance (M.O.F.) Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Tofilau Luamanuvae Siliva said they were currently reviewing the complaints and are liaising with the Australian employers and authorities on the matter.

“Government can confirm that the allegations have been received and our Australia-based officials have taken relevant action through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility escalation process to protect the welfare and interests of our workers," the email reads.

"Approved employers and relevant Australian authorities also continue reviewing allegations of the sort.

"Government assures that the welfare of our workers participating in the PALM scheme remains a priority.”

There needs to be serious thought put into the protection of seasonal workers in both Australia and New Zealand. Geographically, Australia is a continent, which means that having one liaison officer in that part of the world is not enough.

Secondly, the liaison officers need to have a roving role where they visit all locations where Samoans are working regularly. A monthly report also needs to be made and given to the cabinet so they are aware of the conditions the seasonal workers are in.

While this is something the Government can consider for the future, immediately, all departing seasonal workers need to be taught about the labour laws of the country they are going to. They should know their legal rights and what they are entitled to. Better informed workers will improve a lot of things and make way for better conditions and treatment for future workers.

In a report done by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation three days ago, it said 29 people in the Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM) died in the last financial year, making it the deadliest period in the history of the expanding scheme, according to government data.

The fourfold rise came as participant numbers reached an all-time high amid an increasing reliance on Pacific workers in the Australian agriculture and meat industries.

According to data from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), as of 30 June 2023, PALM visa holder deaths more than quadrupled from 2021-2022 to 2022-23, with seven deaths and 29 deaths recorded respectively.

Although there was a significant increase in the number of PALM participants, the figures still showed a 0.05 per cent rise in fatalities, and the data also revealed there were 233 critical incidents resulting in PALM worker injuries in the last three years.

The department noted the deaths and injuries were not necessarily related to the participant’s engagement in the scheme.

The figures came to light on October 24 in a question-on-notice response from the department to Senator Tony Sheldon in the Senate Standing Committees on Education and Employment, seeking exact figures on fatalities and deaths in the PALM scheme.

The number of seasonal workers we will be sending is going to increase as Australia and New Zealand have labour shortages. These are not the days when sailors would pluck men and women out of Samoa at gunpoint and force them to labour in their fields. There is an agreement between Samoa and the nations where our workers are going.

Let us do our part for the well-being of seasonal workers so we can rightfully hold the other party accountable. Seasonal work is important to the nation and families here, we definitely can do a lot more.