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| Abal slams bad label on workers’ scheme | |
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THE Australian government’s
three-year pilot Pacific seasonal workers’ scheme should not be
described as demeaning for Papua New Guineans, Foreign Affairs, Trade
and Immigration Minister Sam Abal said yesterday. “It is not the same as indentured labour or black birding. “This is a conscious government-to-government-sponsored scheme where individuals and the host entities would be fully aware and enter into an arrangement,” Mr Abal said in response to yesterday’s criticisms in the media. He said the PNG Government was appreciative of Australia’s inclusion of Papua New Guineans in the pilot workers’ scheme. He especially thanked Australia’s private sector and the horticulture industry and other civil groups who had supported the formal acceptance of PNG workers. Mr Abal said because of the sensivity of the pilot scheme at this stage, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had directed Foreign Affairs to take initial charge of the scheme and farm it out to other agencies, including private sector players. He cautioned Papua New Guineans that no agents had been approved to implement the strategy. Mr Abal said no person or entity had been authorised to collect fees for seasonal work placements. He also urged interested groups and entities not to confuse the public. A ministerial meeting today would appoint an inter-departmental taskforce to set up the structure and guidelines for the scheme. |
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