As Tonga prepares to send workers to Australia under the seasonal work pilot program, Tongan seasonal work pioneer, and director of the Melie Mei Langi money transfer company, Samiuela Fangaloka, said he stands by to assist in whatever way he can, to enable Tongan workers to work in Australian farms and orchards.
Fangaloka’s family owned company, Tree Minders, manages all labour hires for the Select Harvest company, a multimillon dollar almond producing conglomerate with about 38,000 acres of almonds in production in Robinvale, Victoria.
Sending Tongan workers to Australia has been a sort of crusade for Samiuela Fangaloka for over ten years, and he has worked with previous Ministers from Tonga and other organisations in Australia to try to bring the vision to reality.
In a recent meeting with the Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries, Hon. Lisiate ‘Aloveita ‘Akolo, in Robinvale, Samiuela said his organisation is ready to receive Tongan workers for the upcoming season.
Fangaloka said that the workers can work full time harvesting, thinning and pruning the crops, and they will be well looked after in terms of the provision of accomodation, transportation to and from work as well as paying attention to pastoral care and the worker’s general well being.
Tree Minders employ people of different ethnic backgrounds, including Asians, Australians, Europeans and Pacific Islanders.
Samiuela said that the work day always starts with a prayer, and he attributes the strong performance and cohesiveness of his group to the strong Christian ethic that his workers bring to the job.
Samiuela said that he can take in all one hundred people intended for the pre-pilot phase, but he will have to wait, like other similar companies, for final instructions from Canberra.
According to Hon. Lisiate ‘Aloveita ‘Akolo, Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries, Tonga is fortunate to have people like Samiuela Fangaloka, who have pioneered the trail in the horticultural industry in Australia, and can now draw upon that experience to offer support and opportunities for other people from Tonga.
The Australian Government is finalising arrangements for Pacific island workers under the scheme to travel to Australia early in the new year, in time for the start of the season.
The opening up of Australian farms to workers from Tonga is a dream come true for Samiuela Fangaloka, and he is willing to lend his support to the Government to ensure that the scheme is a success for all concerned.
ENDS
