Is the PALM scheme a blessing or exploitation trap?

Seasonal worker

Tagata faigaluega fa'avaitaimi. Image by AAP. Source: AAP

We spoke to Professor Shelly Marshall, Labour lawyer and Deputy Dean of Law at RMIT on modern slavery and the rights of Pacific seasonal workers under the PALM scheme.


Some of the workers hired by labour hiring agencies in the Pacific region end up in dire straits when they arrive in Australia. They find that the promises of better wages and conditions are far from the reality of being handcuffed to an exploitative employee.

The remoteness of some places of work have placed many Pacific seasonal workers in the most vulnerable positions at the mercy of unscrupulous farmers, plantation owners and meat processing companies.

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