Aust-PNG sign second pact for seasonal workers

AUSTRALIA and Papua New Guinea, on Thursday, signed a second bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) under the new Pacific Australia labour mobility scheme.
The scheme brings together the Pacific labour scheme and seasonal workers programme under a single programme that helps to strengthen worker protection and build capacity to address workforce shortages in Australia, particularly in agriculture and across regional areas. Treasurer Ian Ling- Stuckey said this agreement would also get rid of any “bad apple” employers.
“And if any PNG worker ends up with a bad apple employer, then they are fully protected by the MoU and Australian labour laws.”
Australia’s foreign affairs minister Marise Payne said labour mobility between the two nations provided important benefits to both and strengthened people-to-people connections.
“Australia recognises the outstanding contributions by PNG workers under the scheme, keeping food on shelves and contributing to the cultural and economic vibrancy of our regional and rural communities,” she added.
The scheme aimed to contribute to economic development in PNG by providing remittances, opportunities to gain knowledge and work experience in Australia and supporting skills transfer.
Ling-Stuckey said: “Now that the borders have reopened, we are looking forward to seeing more opportunities for workers from PNG to enter Australia under the scheme.
“The new agreement adds to the protection of PNG workers when they go to Australia.
“A starting point is better education for our people on how much they will earn in Australia, including that there are deductions especially in the first couple of pay packets for health and transport and administration.”