Regulating Pacific Seasonal Labour in Australia
Memo #18 – Developed economies throughout the Asia Pacific region are grappling with how to design immigration policies that balance domestic concerns about labour shortages with respect for human rights and the need to maintain good bilateral relations with sending countries. In 2008, the Australian government piloted a scheme for bringing seasonal workers from four Pacific Island countries (Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Tonga, and Vanuatu) to fill the gaps in Australia’s horticultural industry.