SOLOMON Islanders currently engaged in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in Australia will soon be able to apply under the PALM scheme workers to have their immediate family join them in Australia.
The Australian Government last week announced that it has launched the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme family accompaniment pilot.
A statement from the Australian Government explained that this arrangement will offer 200 PALM scheme workers the opportunity to take their family members to Australia, starting with long-term workers from Kiribati and Timor-Leste.
Solomon Islands are expected to come on board later when its turn comes.
This pilot program is expected to bring some relief to the local families who were separated for years because either the father or mother is working in Australia, while the remaining members of the families are back in Solomon Islands.
It would also help to reduce the current program of family separation and extra-marital affairs which is reportedly a growing problem amongst the local workers in Australia and New Zealand under the two country’s respective labour mobility schemes.
The statement from Canberra explained that the move is part of Albanese Government listening to the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
And they are taking steps to address the impacts of family separation on workers coming to Australia for extended periods.
“This initiative will reunite PALM scheme families and deepen connections between Australia and the region.
“It recognises the important contribution PALM scheme workers make to essential sectors and regional communities across Australia.”
The Albanese Government is delivering on its election commitment to expand and improve the PALM scheme.
The number of PALM scheme workers in Australia has nearly doubled since the government was elected in 2022, it was revealed.
The scheme is providing benefits to Australian employers facing labour shortages, particularly in regional communities, and in Pacific countries who benefit from the remittances and the opportunity for PALM workers to learn new skills.
The first selection process is now underway starting from 26 January to 23 February 2024.
A second selection process for the pilot will be run later this year.
A number of Solomon Islanders are working in Australia under the scheme and have been waiting for this scheme to commence.
Most of them have spent years working in Australia and have been separated from their families.
Once this scheme into play, many Solomon Islands families will have the opportunity to work and live in Australia.
By MOFFAT MAMU
Solomon Star, Gizo
