In recent years, Australia’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has faced growing scrutiny amid serious allegations of modern slavery. According to an article by SBS News, more than 7,000 workers have exited the scheme over the past five years, citing poor working conditions, abuse, exploitation, and even fatalities.

In response to rising concerns, New South Wales (NSW) launched a parliamentary inquiry last year to examine the risks and prevalence of modern slavery in rural areas—including forced labor, violence, sexual servitude, labor trafficking, and wage violations. Additionally, the Australian government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has introduced a series of reforms.

But a core vulnerability remains—PALM workers are tied to a single employer and cannot change employers without formal approval.

“my hands hurt”

In 2022, Rayasi was offered a four-year contract at a meat factory in Melbourne. After months of trying to enter the PALM scheme, she felt deeply grateful for the opportunity. The job promised to pay five times more than her previous job. She planned to use the money to support her family back home in Fiji.

Rayasi quickly discovered that her orientation did not adequately prepare her for the job. She recalled:

“When I saw the whole factory, I was scared. The smell, the gas. It’s a totally new environment for me.”

The employer assigned Rayasi to a section of the factory where she had to gut cow stomachs while high-heat steam killed bacteria. Within weeks, she developed occupational hand dermatitis and went on sick leave. Believing the work environment was worsening her condition, she requested a transfer. Her request was denied.

Even six months later, when the pain in her right hand became excruciating, her employer refused to move her. She said:

“I told them I can’t keep doing this, my hands hurt. I’ve got a medical certificate.”

Over the next seven months, she sought help from the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union, but it was futile. Her labor hire company advised her to apply for workers compensation, but she saw it as a band-aid solution and declined. She also tried asking her manager to move her to another PALM-sponsored job. But her request was met with threats of deportation.

Eventually, Rayasi abandoned her job—losing her valid visa status and access to private medical care.

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