Under the PALM (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility) Scheme, workers from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste work in Australian agriculture (doing jobs like fruit picking), food processing (many in abattoirs) and the care sector (aged care).
However, the scheme has been identified as a modern slavery risk because PALM workers are tied to a single employer. Poor living and working conditions, under payment, access to superannuation and proper healthcare have all been identified as problems.
The scheme, which was originally lauded as a win-win for Australia and its Pacific neighbours, is now heavily lopsided in Australia’s favour, with workers forced to hand over a large portion of their earnings in tax and expenses, locked out of Medicare and blocked from changing jobs by their employers, even if things turn bad.
Now, a poll of 2,230 Australia voters, conducted by YouGov, reveals significant support for giving workers the right to change employers if they’re underpaid (68%), not given enough hours (78%) or housed in expensive, overcrowded or substandard accommodation (81%).
66% of respondents support PALM visa holders being given access to Medicare while they are working in Australia.







