On 31 October, Union – APHEDA launched a discussion paper on Temporary Labour Mobility in Australia and the Pacific Islands. The launch took place at the Australian Council for International Development’s annual conference in Melbourne.

Authored by Dr Katie Hepworth and Nic Mclellan, the discussion paper talks about the increasing numbers of Pacific Island workers who have begun arriving in Australia through the Seasonal Worker Program. The rise of temporary labour migration from the islands region poses both challenges and opportunities for the Australian labour movement. Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA details the current temporary labour schemes for Pacific Island workers, and identifies new frontiers of Pacific Island mobility: the Ageing, Disability and Home Care sector and climate change induced mobility.

• Link to the Discussion Paper
• Listen to Katie Hepworth talk about Exploited Pacific Workers on ABC’s Pacific Beat

“If labour mobility to fit into aid program – unions need to be involved – otherwise great exploitation“ Dr Katie Hepworth #ACFID2017 pic.twitter.com/VwdkEeNNr3

— Union Aid Abroad (@apheda) October 31, 2017

Katie Hepworth says development agencies and unions must work together around issues like seasonal workers prog @apheda #ACFID2017

— Alice Ridge (@alicejaneridge) October 31, 2017

Launching @apheda discussion paper on labour mobility #ACFID2017 pic.twitter.com/Wj6n6qUx3A

— Anu Mundkur (@AnuMundkur) October 31, 2017