Photo: Hilaire Bule
The President of Vanuatu's Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs has told Australia's foreign minister, Penny Wong, Melanesian custom must be preserved in the Seasonal Worker Programme.
Chief Willy Grey Plasua said this would ensure the cultural and faith welfare of Vanuatu citizens working in Australia is maintained.
In his speech welcoming Wong on Monday, Chief Plasua said the scheme was a highly profitable opportunity for the young people of Vanuatu.
But he said it also has a negative impact, in particular it increases domestic violence because the workers become vulnerable to immorality.
Chief Plasua blames this on the lack of a custom relationship, because neither their chief nor their pastor is present.
Penny Wong said the Australian Government was aware of the issues arising from the labour scheme and it's planning changes to keep families connected.
She said the Australian government is willing to work with the Vanuatu Government to try and resolve these issues in a way that works for the people.
Samoa delays worker deployment
Samoa has put the planned overseas deployment of more seasonal workers on hold, amid concern over recruitment issues.
The Samoa Observer reports Acting Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, saying Cabinet made a "conscious decision" last week to halt the programme temporarily.
Tuala said a Cabinet sub-committee has been directed to table a policy on the issues raised within the next week before it can resume again.
He said if the government can sort out the policy in December then the scheme may resume in January.