Seasonal workers

The Minister of Internal Affairs 'Akosita Lavulavu made the statement at the recent presentation for a programme for former seasonal workers who were interested in starting businesses in Tonga.

Mrs Lavulavu told Radio Tonga the Ministry was willing to invest in similar programs to help seasonal workers living in communities in the outer islands as well.

Bea Duffield from Australian Business Volunteers who facilitated the training said the programme was important and could help participants and contribute to the local economy.

Last month the Fiji government announced it had banned entire villages from taking part in the Recognised Seasonal Employer ccheme in New Zealand or the similar Australian scheme after complaints from the New Zealand government about misconduct and disorderly behaviour by some Fijian workers.

Now the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Jone Usamate, has met with some of the Fijian workers in this country to " hear their views of the challenges faced."

Tonga is the second largest contributor of RSE labour with more than 1600 workers participating in the scheme in the past year.

Sefita Hao'uli said Tonga would like to continue to grow seasonal worker numbers and see the scheme expand to other sectors such as hospitality, fisheries and old age care.

But he said research needs to be done into the social and economic impacts of the scheme on the home labour market and Tongan society in general.

Last night, 1 NEWS revealed a group of 15 workers were sent home after allegations they were giving underage girls alcohol, marijuana and money in exchange for sex.

The number of incidents involving seasonal workers has almost doubled in the last year to 40.

They were mostly alcohol-fuelled and included stealing cars and crashing, an assault and exposing to a ten-year-old girl.

In response to the 1 NEWS investigation, Akilisi Pohiva said incidents involving Tongans may have caused some uneasiness between the two countries.

The issue was raised when Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva visited Kerikeri late last week.

Tonga’s Liaison Officer to the fruit picking scheme – Sefita Hao’uli told Radio Tonga News from Nelson that their items were needed for daily living.

This is the first time Mr Pohiva is visiting New Zealand’s largest viticulture and horticulture industries.

Tonga Now Online reports about 500 Tongan workers are employed by the Hawke Bays’ employers.

The Prime Minister will meet with five employers as part of his attempt to strengthen their relationship with his government.

The Tongan community in Napier along with staff from the RSE employers will host a welcoming lunch to welcome Mr Pohiva and his entourage.

CEO of Internal Affairs 'Ana Bing Fonua said the young men were accused of consuming alcohol, causing violence and not being able to fulfil their assigned tasks. 

Radio Tonga reports the young men, from Tofoa, were warned and counselled about their behaviour.

However, one of the returning fruit pickers denied the allegations accusing their supervisor of spreading false information. 

The Town officer of Tofoa, 'Usaia Fifita said the behaviour of the group has ruined the reputation of Tofoa and its people.

A statement said the Government will provide assistance and support with facilitating repatriation of the victims and also RSE workers and employers who are affected by the tragic incident.

Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander Clifford Paxton said police are continuing to communicate with the victims’ families in both New Zealand and Tonga with the assistance of Tongan embassy.

Assistance has been offered in a coordinated effort between Tongan Government, New Zealand Government, Employers, RSE workers and the local community.

One of the men was based in New Zealand; the other four had come from Tonga for the season.

The victims are father and son, Koli Vaipulu (son) and Sitiveni Vaipulu (father), Halani Fine, Koli Sione Teulaka, and Samuela Taukatelata.

The men were pulling out on to the state highway after finishing their shift when they were hit.

The crash, just after 8 pm NZT yesterday outside the Aongatete Coolstore, closed State Highway 2 for four hours, and police and fire crews with heavy cutting gear attended the scene.

The workers came to Australia in January as part of the Department of Employment's Seasonal Worker Program.

The group of 20 from Fiji, and others from Tonga, were taken to the caravan park in Merrigum, in the food bowl district of northern Victoria.