RSE workers

According to a RNZ report, the workers said they were in awe of their agent, John Suran, who lived with a disability, having no hands, but has travelled to Australia and facilitated interviews and arranged the placements.

Vanuatu's Commissioner of Labour Lione Kaluat said Australian farmers were focusing on Vanuatu to provide workers for their farms because ni-Vanuatu workers were hardworking, committed and had respect for their employers.

Mr Suran had been dealing with the Madec company which will employ the 200 workers.

The department says three firearms and bullets were last week confiscated from a container registered to seasonal workers returning from New Zealand after taking part in the RSE scheme.

Three more firearms and ammunition were confiscated the week before.

This responds positively to the demands of the Pacific Island Countries in the PACER Plus negotiations, which seek to enhance their participation in international trade. 

In June 2015, Australia took the unprecedented step in lifting the cap under the Seasonal Workers Program and extended it to the entire agriculture sector and to the accommodation sector in selected locations in the country.