Fed: Seasonal work program would help Fiji's poor, says diplomat

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2006
Fed: Seasonal work program would help Fiji's poor, says diplomat

By Denis Peters

CANBERRA, Aug 22 AAP - Fiji's high commissioner has delivered an impassioned plea to
allow guest workers from his country to work in Australia under a seasonal worker visa
scheme.

Such a move would make a marked difference to the economic welfare of poor Fijian families
and also address issues that had led to some countries being in danger of becoming failed
states, High Commissioner Amraiya Naidu said.

Mr Naidu said there was no social welfare scheme in Fiji, and hence, there was no knowledge
of the country's unemployment rate.

And for the 17,000 school-leavers every year in Fiji, there were perhaps 2,000 jobs
available to them, he said.

"Poverty alleviation is a crucial issue in the Pacific region," Mr Naidu today told
a Senate inquiry into a seasonal worker scheme for Pacific Islanders.

"Improved access to primary, secondary and tertiary education, improved community facilities,
will be the beneficial aspects of this labour mobility."

Mr Naidu said remittances - money sent home by expatriate workers - accounted for seven
per cent of Fiji's gross domestic product, underlining the importance of being able to
work overseas.

Many Pacific nations were already categorised as fragile states and others were moving
in that direction, he said.

"If not provided a helping hand, there will be a possibility of a few more failed and
fragile states joining the group," Mr Naidu said.

"A proactive policy approach will help avoid such drastic situations requiring expensive,
reactive measures.

"Who else would be looked upon to do so (other) than our partner in the Pacific, meaning
Australia."

Mr Naidu said a carrot-and-stick approach should be employed to ensure workers returned
home after their visa periods.

"The governments must be told in no uncertain terms that if there is any breach of
these conditions the country will not be able to send any more of their (workers)," he
said.

"If the recruiting process is done with the involvement of the elders and the government
... these people can get involved and say `look, you are going for a purpose and you are
not going to spoil the chances of the others. You complete your work and you return'."

Families of workers should not come to Australia, providing another incentive for workers
to return home, he said.

AAP dep/mfh/ks/sd

KEYWORD: SEASONAL FIJI

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