CONCERNS have emerged over the use of offensive language by some Solomon Islands seasonal workers employed in Australia under Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
While the majority of Solomon Islands seasonal workers have been praised for their dedication and positive contributions, isolated incidents have raised alarm.
One such case surfaced after a video was posted on social media last month, which went viral and drew criticism from the public.
The video, uploaded by one of the Solomon Islands seasonal workers, show the worker jokingly use vulgar expressions in his mother tongue towards a foreign co-seasonal worker and translating those vulgar words into Pidgin English.
Although the foreign seasonal worker appears to take the action by the Solomon Islands workers as humour, the content of the video has been labeled as disrespectful by many Solomon Islanders.
‘’Such behavior not only risks damaging relationships in the workplace, but also tarnishes the reputation of Solomon Islanders participating in labour mobility programmes in countries like Australia and New Zealand,” a concerned Solomon Islander Dima Teo told Solomon Star.
‘’Teaching a foreigner bad words in our native language is not ok. It misrepresents our cultures and identity. Our language is something to be respected and shared positively, not in a way that reflects badly on us. I suggest that the seasonal worker remove the video and think about the negative impact it has. Let’s promote our cultures in a positive way,” another concerned Solomon Islander said.
Government officials and stakeholders have urged all seasonal workers to be mindful of their behaviour.
They expressed the importance of seasonal workers maintaining their integrity and upholding values that Solomon Islanders have been known for in international workplaces.
Community leaders and government officials also have expressed disappointment over these reports and are calling for greater awareness and responsibility amongst seasonal workers.
“It is essential for our workers to act as ambassadors of our nation, showing respect and maintaining professionalism at all times,” a spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade said.
Efforts are underway to address this issue, with some stakeholders suggesting the need for pre-departure training to emphasise cultural sensitivity, workplace etiquette and effective communication skills.
The PALM scheme has been a valuable opportunity for many Solomon Islanders, providing income for participants to support their families and communities.
Officials stressed that preserving these opportunities requires workers to uphold high standards of behavior.
Employers have also urged workers to resolve misunderstandings amicably and to foster teamwork and mutual respect in multicultural workplaces.
As more Solomon Islanders seek opportunities through seasonal work schemes, the government and stakeholders are working to ensure that workers maintain a positive reputation so that Solomon Islands continues to benefit from these initiatives.
About 6,982 plus local workers are currently working in the agriculture, meat and aged-care sectors in Australia and Solomon Islands Government is planning to increase the number of workers to 16,000 by 2028.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) is yet to release a statement following the shameful video clip which was posted online.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
