A sad story is playing out down under in Australia. Former workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme are finding refuge and support after fleeing their employers. They contended with low rates of pay and high rates of deductions. One of them is Susan Pinu, who, even as she struggled to escape the militarized chaos around her, had to deal with the added burden of being pregnant. It’s activists like Pinu that expose the ugly realities of the PALM scheme’s systemic failures. That over 7,200 workers have quit their jobs speaks to the depth of these problems.
Pinu, who was pregnant when she left her employer, found herself lost in an Australian town, desperately searching for assistance. Fortunately, one supportive local family in Leeton was able to adopt her. They showered her with both physical care and emotional support as she navigated this difficult period. As a result, she received a bridging visa, allowing her to pursue education in aged care and disability support. Now, with her TAFE studies behind her, Pinu hopes to find work in aged care and create a better life for herself and her young daughter.
The fruit employment is very lucrative, he told me, now making between $2,000 and $3,000 per week filling the various needed roles in the agricultural-rich area. Pinu and Leve’s stories underscore an important trend. An exodus of PALM workers due to seeking greener pastures or unhappiness with the role is occurring.
The PALM Scheme’s Impact
The PALM scheme directly addresses short-term issues in Australia’s workforce. It provides urgent pathways for workers from Pacific nations to immediately come in and fill safe jobs that remain across all sectors. For many of these participants, the obstacles are steep — chief among them, their visas binding them to a single employer. This misaligned structure erects real barriers for employees who are facing harassment or other intolerable workplace environments. Given these lackluster efforts, disengagement sometimes feels like the only solution for employees such as Pinu and Leve.
Dr. Kaya Barry, a recent academic at Griffith University, warned conditions were deeply disturbing around the welfare of former PALM workers. She pointed out that all the people interviewed had their visas revoked when they left their abusive employers. Their lack of permanent, affordable housing makes them highly vulnerable and cuts them off from accessing necessities like transportation, healthcare, and social services.
“At present, disengagement is often the only meaningful redress available to people on the PALM scheme who are experiencing legitimate grievances in their employment,” – Dr. Kaya Barry.
Further, Pinu said she wanted to inspire others who are going through the same struggles. She stated, “I feel like one of the people who encourages others, because of what I came through.” Her experience exemplifies the resilience and strength many former PALM workers exhibit in confronting their challenges and seeking a better life for themselves and their families.
Community Support in Leeton
The town of Leeton has shown us all that community can be a guiding light for PALM workers turned away. Thanks to the dedication of local leaders such as Paul Maytom, we’ve seen positive action take place to offer support and fight for change under the PALM scheme. They understand the demands on these people and they’re busting their tails to make an attractive setting.
Maytom is passionate about ensuring that anyone who needs relief from life’s challenges can readily access it. He stated, “We have to offer what support we can give that person under those circumstances.” His commitment illustrates a larger desire among the community to follow their hearts and stand with compassion and solidarity.
Additionally, Leeton has hosted a minimum of 12 pregnant former PALM workers who have accessed important maternal health care. This exemplifies the spirit of this community to stretch out a compassionate hand in times of crisis and challenge.
“We don’t have a brick wall around our town, and we never will. And if [PALM workers] are having some problems along the way and they can’t get that support that I believe they should have, they can come here.” – Paul Maytom.
The continued interest and support shown by residents has provided, as you can see, a great deal of comfort to people like Susan Pinu. She acknowledged how the assistance offered by the Leeton family made her feel valued: “That brought me comfort, [I felt] like I’m someone.”
Calls for Reform
Now that more former PALM workers have begun sharing their stories, demands for fixing the scheme are increasing. On most issues you’ll find community leaders and critical academics pushing back against the current model. Together, these changes would give workers greater freedom and protection in the workplace. Without these key improvements, too many will be left out and still facing crisis and lack of security.
As Dr. Kaya Barry pointed out, thousands of people are still left out in the cold once they leave their jobs. She also called attention to an alarming reality. Once these workers move off the PALM scheme visa, they are frequently dropped into a vacuum with very limited support.
“But once they’ve formally exited from the PALM scheme visa, it’s like everybody turns a blind eye.” – Dr. Kaya Barry.
Additionally, testimony from former PALM workers documents in no uncertain terms the need for increased rights and protections. Once they leave their traditional employers, many enter the gig economy, taking on casual labor positions to pay their bills. Such instability creates enormous hurdles for them as they try to restore their lives after trauma in a foreign land.
