Rugby star Lote Tuqiri supports Pacific Island workers in Australia
Fiji-born rugby star, Lote Tuqiri, knows the difference a bit of support can make when moving to a new country.
Born in Korolevu and raised in the rugby nursery of Namatakula, Lote moved to Australia with his family at the age of 15 before going on to enjoy a successful sporting career in which he represented Australia and Fiji in rugby league and the Wallabies in rugby union.
He now hopes to help others make a smooth transition after being engaged by the labour-hire company, Agri Labour Australia, as its new Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme cultural ambassador.
The scheme is highly valued by Australia and the Pacific, helping Australian businesses address workforce shortages as well as providing Pacific Island and Timor-Leste workers an opportunity to access a range of seasonal and longer-term jobs in Australia.
All workers can gain valuable skills, experience, and income to take back to their families and communities.
Tuqiri’s role will see him involved in community engagement and helping to ensure workers are supported in their life and work in Australia.
“There are a lot of positives coming to work over here as part of the PALM scheme and I’m happy to be helping that and fostering that,” he said.
Casey Brown, managing director
of Agri Labour Australia, said Lote was a role model for Pacific islanders and his experience would resonate with the workers.
“Why we engaged Lote is that he’s been there and done that. He came over to Australia as a young man with a dream, a goal,” he said.
The wellbeing of Pacific and Timor-Leste workers is of central importance to the Australian Government and its partners and any measures by employers to boost the welfare of workers and ease their adjustment to life in a new country are welcomed.
All Pacific and Timor-Leste workers participating in the PALM scheme have the same workplace rights and protections as Australian workers.
Source: Australian High Commission