The federal government has backflipped on a weekly hours guarantee for Pacific workers, earning scorn from unions and a backhander from the coalition.

Create a free account to read this article

Login or signup to continue reading

Continue with Email

Continue with Google

Continue with Apple

Tens of thousands of recruits from the Pacific and East Timor currently work in Australia under the PALM scheme, including large contributions to the agricultural and meat processing workforce.

Anthony Albanese's government has expanded and reformed the scheme, and had planned to guarantee short-term workers at least 30 hours a week while in Australia.

That requirement has now been dropped in favour of a 120-hour provision averaged over four weeks , championed by business.

ACTU President M

See Full Page