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https://theconversation.com/underpaid-at-home-vulnerable-abroad-how-seasonal-job-schemes-are-draining-pacific-nations-of-vital-workers-194810>
"The economic impact of COVID on Pacific Island states, combined with major
labour shortages in Australia and New Zealand, has created a perfect storm. A
mass exodus means Pacific nations are now losing crucial workers at such volume
that their own development prospects are being undermined.
For 15 years we’ve been told Pacific seasonal labour schemes offer a “triple
win” – for Pacific people wanting to earn decent incomes, for their home
countries’ revenues and skill base, and for Australian and New Zealand
horticulturalists desperate for workers.
Recent developments, however, suggest Pacific labour schemes need a major
rethink.
Pacific peoples have long moved across oceans and the world in search of
opportunities. But in 2007 New Zealand formalised arrangements with its
Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme. This was followed by two schemes
in Australia, which in 2022 were merged to form the Pacific Australia Labour
Mobility (PALM) scheme.
Both countries target low- to semi-skilled workers, mainly for seasonal
agricultural and horticultural work. The PALM scheme has since expanded to
include hospitality, age care and tourism jobs. Predictably, supply has
followed demand."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
