Solomon Islands and Australia’s National Farmers Federation (NFF), the peak national body representing farmers and, more broadly, agriculture across Australia have reinforced the importance of the PALM worker scheme, in a landmark meeting that was held at NFF’s House in Canberra on Wednesday last week.
“The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, is the big game in town,” Mr. Robert Sisilo, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, told Mr. David Jochnke, President of the National Farmers Federation; one of Australia’s foremost and respected advocacy organizations.
“The total remittances from our workers in both Australia and New Zealand, under the RSE scheme, rose by 68% to $475.5 million in 2024. It more than doubled the remittances of 2023 and was the third foreign exchange earner after logging and cocoa exports.” Mr. Sisilo, in no uncertain terms, said.
He called on members of the NFF to recruit more workers from the Solomon Islands on both short and long-term streams.
“The NFF and its members are committed to working with you and other stakeholders to build a better PALM scheme, recognizing its potential importance as part of our seasonal labour workforce.
“It’s an important mechanism for our both our countries and its further success would depend on it being better designed to meet the needs of both your workers and Australian employers.” Mr. Jochnke responded.
Mr. Sisilo couldn’t agree more. For while as a sending country it would want it’s workers to be treated fairly in their workplaces, accommodations, payrolls, wellbeing etc all stakeholders must also work together to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.
And this can only be achieved if it’s a win-win situation for all stakeholders – the workers, the employers, Solomon Islands and Australia.
– SI High Commission in Canberra
Photo caption: Mr. Robert Sisilo and the NFF team team
