SICTU Demands Urgent Government Action to Shield Workers in Australia

Sponsored Advertisement

The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) today calls on the Government to take immediate and decisive action to protect its citizens working in Australia under the PALM scheme.

This follows a recent damning report from the United Nations top slavery expert, Professor Tomoya Obokata, which confirms the alarming vulnerabilities and systemic risks of exploitation faced by our workers.

SICTU’s National General Secretary, Mr. Adrian Tuhanuku, stated: “The findings of the UN Special Rapporteur are not a surprise to us; they are a stark confirmation of the grievances we have been receiving from our workers on the ground. Our people are contributing to the Australian economy and supporting our nation through remittances, yet they are exposed to potential exploitation without robust, independent support. The time for talk is over; we need action now.”

Sponsored Advertisement

“The Solomon Islands Government must immediately and formally engage with SICTU to establish a mandatory framework that links every Solomon Islander PALM scheme worker to an appropriate Australian trade union. This is the most effective and proven way to ensure their safety, dignity, and rights are protected.”

While the PALM scheme offers vital economic opportunities, the absence of these structures leaves workers exposed to issues like unfair wage deductions, unsafe working conditions, and a lack of recourse. Australian trade unions possess the expertise, resources, and legal mandate to provide on-the-ground advocacy and ensure fair treatment.

Therefore, SICTU, through its National General Secretary, explicitly calls on the Solomon Islands Government to:

1. Initiate Formal Tripartite Engagement:Immediately convene discussions between the Government, SICTU, and relevant Australian authorities to mandate union membership for all Solomon Islands PALM workers upon arrival in Australia.
2. Establish a Formal Linkage Protocol:Create a clear and funded mechanism to automatically connect every worker with the Australian union covering their specific industry and region, ensuring they receive immediate induction, ongoing support, and powerful representation.
3. Prioritize Worker Empowerment:Officially endorse and promote trade union membership as a fundamental right and a non-negotiable pillar of the Solomon Islands’ national worker protection strategy for all overseas employment.

“Our workers are our nation’s greatest export and asset. They deserve to work with dignity, safety, and the full force of collective bargaining behind them. We stand ready to work with the Government to turn the UN expert’s recommendations into concrete action and ensure that no Solomon Islander worker is left behind or exploited in workplace overseas,” Mr. Tuhanuku concluded.

###