Government Must Not Miss PALM Reform Opportunity: AWU

The Australian Workers' Union has called on the Commonwealth to make major changes to the PALM Deed and Guidelines, arguing that workers' pay, safety and well-being, and Australia's standing in the Pacific, are at risk under the status quo.

The PALM Scheme, having grown significantly in recent years, now provides around 6% of all agricultural and nearly 33% of all meat processing workers. The scheme not only fills an important gap in our labour market, it has a marked influence on Australia's relationship with nearly every Pacific state.

The Albanese Labor Government has delivered important reforms to strengthen protections for vulnerable PALM workers since coming to power. But PALM workers continue to report a range of issues to the AWU, including excessive deductions by their bosses, substandard and unsafe accommodation and transport, and unfair rules around access to superannuation. Some workers are at risk of debt bondage, a form of modern slavery.

The PALM Scheme's Deed and Guidelines are the legally-binding rules that approved employers must adhere to in order to participate in the PALM Scheme. They are a key mechanism to enforce better, safer working and living conditions.

The AWU is calling for fifteen changes to the Deed and Guidelines to deliver better working conditions, improved union oversight, minimum living standards, and protections to ensure a larger share of workers' hard-earned pay remains in their pockets. Recommendations include:

  • A cap on total deductions from PALM workers' pay at 30% of their gross wage per week,
  • Clear accommodation standards including maximum ratios of bedrooms, bathrooms and total living space per worker,
  • A ban on employers charging workers for travel and visa procurement, and
  • Specifying super funds that support the PALM workforce as default funds under the scheme.

The AWU continues to advocate for other protections for PALM workers outside the Deed and Guidelines, including access to Medicare and lowering an excessive tax burden that sees workers with less than $15,000 in super taxed like millionaires.

AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow says that despite significant progress under Labor, the PALM Scheme urgently requires further reform to adequately protect and support workers.

"Some stories from our members are shocking: Nine workers forced to use a single shower each morning and people bunking six or eight to a room - and paying $160 for it! Workers are charged top dollar for accommodation that's worse than prison."

"PALM workers should expect nothing less than affordable, safe and habitable living conditions. If employers can't provide that, they should not be part of the PALM Scheme."

Paul says that superannuation - a universal right for all workers in Australia - is out of reach for many PALM workers. "A third of all PALM workers will never get access to their super when they return home; money they have worked hard for and earned fair and square."

"Workers are being sold short by needlessly complex rules around claiming their super after they return home. Those that do navigate that process are then taxed to the hilt."

"Fortunately some super funds, like AustralianSuper, are actively helping PALM workers unlock their super. Those funds should be preferred funds for all PALM workers going forward."

As Paul explains, the ramifications extend beyond the PALM workforce. "A poorly run PALM Scheme risks damaging Australia's reputation with our Pacific neighbours. For as long as workers come home with stories of being exploited, paying hand over fist to live in squalid conditions, and forfeiting their earnings, Australia's standing in the Pacific is at risk ."

"The government's recent setbacks on treaties with Vanuatu and Solomon Islands prove that Australia's Pacific relationships are only getting more complex. The PALM Scheme should be a way to improve our regional standing, but that is in serious doubt at present."

"We have a duty to do right by every worker in Australia. It's frankly embarrassing that workers are coming to the 'lucky country' only to face the serious risk of mistreatment."

"One of the most important, effective things Australia can do right now to improve our regional standing is to make significant changes to the scheme to address shortcomings."

READ THE FULL SUBMISSION HERE

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.