Have you ever wondered about the well-being of your father, mother, brother, sister, partner, child, relative, friend, or wantok working under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) in Australia when you are at your nearest Western Union or bank filling in the form to pick up some money they have sent over?

Maybe they have sent a happy emoji on Messenger, so you think they must be happy. They laughed during a call, so you think they must be having fun. They uploaded photos of them smiling, so you think they must be enjoying a great life. How true do you think those smiles are? The fact is that not all of your families, friends, and wantoks working under the PALM Scheme have great employers and are treated fairly.

Recently, a story of a Fijian seasonal worker who passed away in Australia while working under the PALM Scheme has raised serious debates on the matter of how some Australian employers badly treat and neglect their workers, also how Australian authorities do not care about the workers after they are under the employers control.

That is why Mrs. Johnston urges that Pacific nations under the PALM Scheme rise as one and raise this critical issue, because what if next time your father, brother, sister, relatives, or friends happen to find themselves under one of the hells of the PALM Scheme’s approved employers?

Worse is if they are currently working for one of the evil employers but they cannot raise their voices because they are scared and have to sacrifice their mental, physical, and spiritual health to support their family.

The Pacific Labor Mobility (PALM) started in 2022, currently, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu are participating in the Pacific Labor Mobility. The PALM scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from the mentioned countries above when there are not enough local workers available.

This is the story of (Mrs. Johnston) a grandmother who lost her granddaughter’s life because of the dark side of seasonal work in Australia under the PALM Scheme. She wrote about the tragedy of losing her late granddaughter and raised her voice against the disturbing treatment by some of the PALM Scheme-approved employers and companies in Australia.

In June 2024, she lost her beloved Fijian granddaughter, Christine, a young Fijian woman full of life, promise, and hope. Christine’s story is one of resilience and dedication, but also exploitation, fear, and heartbreak. She came to Australia with dreams of supporting her family back in Fiji, working under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Visa 403. Little did they know, that this so-called “opportunity” would lead to her untimely death and expose the systemic abuse and modern-day slavery that so many Pacific Island workers endure.

Christine lived with her grandmother on weekends in her Camberwell home, a sanctuary where she found brief respite from the grueling conditions of her work in Warrnambool. She never complained too much—perhaps out of a sense of duty or fear of losing the job her family depended on. It wasn’t until after her sudden passing that her grandmother began to uncover the full extent of the hardships she and her colleagues faced.

When her grandmother traveled to Warrnambool to collect Christine’s belongings, she met with her work colleagues. What they shared with her was shocking and deeply distressing. Christine’s death had not only robbed her of a granddaughter but revealed a much broader tragedy—the appalling treatment of Pacific Island workers in Australia, and the devastating impact it has on their lives and families.

These workers, who come from nations like Fiji, arrive in Australia on the PALM Visa 403, hoping to earn enough to send money back home. But what they find instead are working conditions that can only be described as modern-day slavery. Many of the Fijian workers she spoke with told her about the constant bullying and racism they endure daily. They are often assigned the hardest, most physically demanding tasks—tasks that would typically require two or three workers—yet they are expected to perform them alone.

“I ask you, the readers, to share Christine’s story. Let her life be a catalyst for change. Together, we can demand better treatment for Pacific Islanders in Australia. We can push for reforms that will protect these workers and ensure that no one else has to endure the hardships that Christine and so many others have faced.” Wrote Late Christine’s grandmother

Here are some testimonies from workers about this evil side.

Racism and Bullying.

Every single Fijian worker she spoke with recounted incidents of racism and bullying. Supervisors yelled, swore, and used derogatory, racist names toward them. When these workers expressed their discomfort, they were told that this behavior was simply “normal” in Australia and that they needed to toughen up. 

Unmanageable Workloads.

One worker told her that when a Fijian worker called in sick, the job that would typically be done by two or three people was given to just one Fijian worker. In contrast, when a worker of a different race was absent, two or three people were immediately assigned to cover that person’s workload. This discrimination wasn’t subtle; it was blatant and cruel.

Exploitation of Sick Leave.

If a worker fell ill, they had to call and ask permission to see a doctor—a request that was almost always denied. When they did manage to take a sick day, the hours were deducted from their annual leave, leaving them with fewer days off for rest and recuperation.

Fear of Seeking Medical Assistance.

Christine, like many others, was too afraid to seek medical help, fearing repercussions from her employer. This fear may have ultimately contributed to her untimely death. Her story is not unique—workers frequently delay or avoid seeking medical care out of fear of being reprimanded or deported.

Lack of Medicare Access and Medical Costs.

Without access to Medicare, these workers are forced to pay a minimum of $75 just for a doctor’s visit. These costs aren’t reimbursed, and the workers are left to bear the financial burden of their healthcare. One worker who injured his back was forced to pay for his hospital visit and lost work time, despite the injury occurring on the job.

Unsafe Working Conditions.

Another worker shared a horrifying incident where an entire cow fell on him while he was working. The accident led to a costly hospital visit that set him back $500, which the company refused to reimburse. This is just one example of the unsafe and dangerous conditions these workers face daily.

Threats of Deportation.

Workers are constantly threatened with termination and deportation if they don’t comply with unreasonable demands, such as working additional shifts on weekends despite their contracts stating they were only required to work Monday to Friday. The fear of losing their jobs and the income their families rely on keeps them silent, even when they are subjected to extreme exploitation.

No Protections After Termination.

Some workers have been fired without any warning and sent back to Fiji. There is no follow-up on their welfare, no support, and no recourse. They are discarded as though they are disposable, left to fend for themselves after being exploited to the breaking point.

Forced to Work Despite Injuries.

One worker shared how he broke his shoulder while on the job. He was promised light duties while awaiting surgery, but this promise was not kept. Instead, he was forced to continue working despite the injury, exacerbating his condition and leaving him in constant pain. His employer showed no concern for his well-being, prioritizing productivity over the health of their workers.

These are just a few of the many harrowing stories Christine’s grandmother heard. The workers spoke to her anonymously, too afraid to go on record due to fear of reprisals from their employer and deportation by the Australian government. These workers are trapped in a system that treats them as expendable labor, stripping them of their dignity and basic human rights.

Christine’s death, while a personal tragedy for her and her family, is also a symbol of the larger, systemic problem that exists within Australia’s immigration and labor systems. The PALM Visa 403, which is intended to provide opportunities for Pacific Islanders, has instead become a tool for exploitation. These workers are treated as expendable labor, with little to no protection or support. Christine’s employer didn’t even visit her in the hospital as she lay dying in the Intensive Care Unit. They showed no concern for her welfare, and their absence speaks volumes about how little these workers’ lives are valued.

Late Chrsitine’s grandmother wrote “I am left with a profound sense of detestation at the loss of Christine—detestation for the system that failed her, for the employer that neglected her, and for the government that allows this modern-day slavery to continue unchecked.”

Ross Johnston

Christine’s family, friends, and her grandmother are devastated by her loss. They are left wondering: could this have been avoided if she had been allowed to seek medical help without fear? Could Christine still be with them if her workplace had treated her with the dignity and care that every human being deserves?

Christine’s story must be a force for change. Christine’s grandmother writes “We cannot allow her death to be in vain.”

Mrs. Johnston is determined to establish a charity in her name, one that will raise money to help address the poverty and health issues faced by Pacific Islanders, both in Australia and back home in Fiji. The charity will focus on providing scholarships for young Fijians, helping them to build better futures without having to endure the hardships that Christine faced. It will also support initiatives aimed at improving healthcare and living conditions for Pacific Islanders in Australia, ensuring that no one else has to suffer the way Christine did.

But a charity alone is not enough. The Australian government must be held accountable for the conditions these workers are subjected to. The PALM Visa 403 must be reformed to provide genuine protections for Pacific Island workers. Employers who exploit and abuse their workers must be held to account, and the government must take responsibility for ensuring that all workers, regardless of their visa status, are treated with dignity and respect.

Why do the indigenous people of the South Pacific need visas to work in Australia at all? These are our neighbors, our brothers and sisters, whose cultures and histories are deeply intertwined with our own. Why are they treated as second-class citizens, forced to endure exploitation and abuse for the sake of a paycheck? The Australian government’s treatment of Pacific Islanders is unconscionable, and it must change.

“Christine’s story is not an isolated incident—it is the reality for countless Pacific Islanders who come to Australia seeking a better life, only to find themselves trapped in a system that treats them as little more than disposable labor. This is modern-day slavery, and it must end.” stressed Mrs. Johnston.

Christine’s life was precious, and her death was a tragedy. But from this tragedy, we can forge a movement for justice, equality, and dignity for all. Let us honor Christine’s memory by ensuring that her story leads to lasting change.

Why Don’t the workers go to “Fair Work”?

Workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Visa 403—often referred to as being on “slave visas” due to the exploitative conditions they face—are in a vulnerable position, which makes it incredibly difficult for them to seek help, including from bodies like Fair Work Australia. Here are several reasons why these workers may not go to Fair Work for assistance:

 Many workers are afraid that if they file a complaint or seek help from authorities, their employer will retaliate by firing them. Since their visa and right to remain in Australia are tied directly to their employment, losing their job means immediate deportation. This fear of losing their only source of income and being forced to return to poverty in their home countries silences many workers.

 Many workers may not be fully aware of their rights under Australian labor laws. They may not know that they are entitled to fair treatment, or that there are organizations like Fair Work Australia that can help them. Employers often do not inform workers about their rights, leaving them unaware that they have legal protections.

Pacific Island workers may face language barriers that prevent them from understanding the legal system in Australia or from feeling confident in navigating it. This can make the process of filing a complaint seem daunting or impossible.

Many workers live in remote or rural areas, far from cities where they might find support services. Employers may also deliberately isolate workers from the community, making it harder for them to access help. Additionally, intimidation tactics—such as threats of deportation or claims that complaining will ruin their chances of ever working in Australia again—are often used to keep workers from reaching out for help.

Workers often have families back in the Pacific Islands who rely on the money they send home. The stakes are high—not just for themselves, but for their entire families. This dependence on the income they earn in Australia puts them in a position where they feel they cannot afford to risk losing their job, no matter how bad the conditions may be.

 The PALM Visa 403 program ties the worker’s visa to a specific employer, giving that employer significant control over their fate. If a worker leaves their job or is terminated, they risk violating their visa conditions, which can lead to deportation. This creates a power imbalance, where the employer has the upper hand, and the worker feels they have no choice but to comply.

 In many Pacific Island cultures, there is a strong emphasis on respect for authority and elders. This cultural background can sometimes make it difficult for workers to challenge their employers or authority figures, even when they know they are being mistreated.

Some workers may have had negative experiences with authorities in their home countries, leading to a general mistrust of official bodies, including Fair Work Australia. They may fear that seeking help will not lead to a fair resolution and could instead make their situation worse.

These factors combine to create a situation where Pacific Island workers feel trapped in their circumstances, unable to speak out or seek help even when they are facing severe exploitation. This is why reforms must be made to the visa program and stronger protections to be put in place to ensure that these workers are treated with dignity and respect. Additionally, more outreach and education are needed to inform workers of their rights and how to access help safely.

Now it’s up to these countries under the PALM Scheme, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Are they going to wait until another death or act now together and protect their people from such slavery treatment and death?

“With heavy hearts, our team wishes to give our sincere condolences to Mrs. Johnston and her family in Australia and Fiji.”

iumi stori

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is based on testimonies provided by anonymous employees. The accounts and statements reflect the personal experiences and perceptions of these individuals and have been documented to highlight workplace conditions and advocate for improve workers' rights. The aim is to bring attention to the issues faced by workers and encourage constructive dialogue and action for better working conditions and practices.