For thousands of people in Vanuatu, the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme has become more than an opportunity to work overseas.
It has provided many workers with the chance to support their families, invest in their futures, and build better lives back home.
At two farms in North Queensland, Nourish Banana Plantation and Mackay Farm, workers say two things have made the biggest difference to their experience and that is respect and good leadership.
During a visit to the farms, VBTC spoke with Vanuatu workers about their experiences under the PALM Scheme. At Nourish Banana farm, ni-Vanuatu workers spend their days harvesting bananas as part of the PALM Scheme.
While some Vanuatu workers on other farms have left their jobs, citing demanding working conditions and concerns about pay, Ian Alfred, a father of two from Santo, says his experience has been different. Having worked at Nourish farm for the past 10 years, he credits the farm’s supportive environment and management for encouraging workers to stay.
“We can say work at the banana farm is harder compared to other farms. But for me, I don’t think working at the banana plantation is hard,” Ian said.
“I like this work and I like my boss. My boss is kind and friendly to all the boys as islanders in the farm.”
The owner of Nourish Banana Co, Miki Buchanan, says retaining workers has not been difficult, adding that creating a respectful workplace has been key to building long-term relationships with employees.
“I feel like it’s more of treatment. If you’re a good boss and you treat them well, they want to come back, they’ll always want to come back.
“My boys text me three times a day when they’re in Vanuatu, ‘boss when do I come back? When do I do this?’,” said Ms. Buchanan.
Since the labour mobility program began in 2012, many Vanuatu families have used the opportunity to improve their standard of living.
Ian said this program has transformed his life back in Santo.
“I have a lot to say how this scheme has benefited me and my family,” Ian said with a smile.
“Two highlights from what I own now, is a piece of land for myself and two boats.”
A married couple working on Mackay farm in North Queensland, Marvin and Shilla Mera from Ambae who also lives in Santo, says the scheme has provided for their families, build homes, support their children’s education, and invest in their future.
“We have a goal when we came here. So, we bought a truck that helps our family a lot because our children only stops a bus everyday to school, so as we to work. And we also build a home,” said Mrs. Mera.
Although broken homes remains one of the biggest challenges under this program, the Meras say their faith in God has helped them remain resilient while working abroad.
“We have a totally different culture and religion back in Vanuatu. When we come here (Australia), it’s a different culture. But our faith in God is the only thing that is holding us together,” Mrs. Mera said.
Many younger workers without families say they are using the income they earn, along with the skills they gain in Australia, to start small businesses and create new opportunities when they return to Vanuatu.
For these workers, the PALM Scheme represents far more than a source of income. It is an opportunity to build a better future, strengthen their families, and return home with valuable skills and experience that can benefit their communities for years to come.
