The Rudd government's recently announced seasonal workers scheme may further cultivate Australia's friendship network within the Pacific region, according to new UQ research.
Dr Mark Schubert of UQ Social Sciences said offering temporary migratory work incentives to Pacific Island fruit pickers would encourage international partnerships and improve Australia’s labour supply during harvest season.
"The fruit pickers scheme could be one very important avenue for Australia's necessary reconnection and re-engagement with the Pacific," Dr Schubert said.
Dr Schubert’s PhD research tracked the migratory experiences of Fiji Indians and Fijians in Griffith, New South Wales.
His thesis approval date coincided with the Rudd government's pledge to provide 2500 visas to Pacific Islander guest workers annually over the next three years so they can pick and pack Australia’s fruit and vegetables.
The Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme, which aims to reduce labour shortages and establish a mutually beneficial arrangement for the Australian and some Pacific Island economies, will be trialed in Griffith, Swan Hill and Victoria.
Dr Schubert’s one-year study identified many positive experiences among Griffith’s Fiji Indian and Fijian workers, including largely hitch-free integration within the local community, job training and newfound economic independence.
"I lived with them, ate with them, sat and drank kava with them, provided transport for them and went to church with them," he said.
"I learned the importance to so many of them to earn Australian dollars to help their families in Fiji and be able to buy or build things back in Fiji vital for their villages' and relatives' survival."
The scheme, which is only to be accessed in response to local labour shortages, will be reviewed in 18 months to ensure it has met the needs of Australian employers and Pacific Island workers.
"The scheme will have to be very carefully structured to avoid exploitation of workers and ensure village communities at the other end are benefiting," Dr Schubert said.
Media: Further information, Dr Mark Schubert, telephone 07 3365 2253 or Melanie Sullivan at UQ Communications (0439 366 001).
