Social Media Rumors.

It has come to the attention of the Labour Mobility Unit and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that rumors have been circulated in Social Media and in the mainstream media that;

1. 200 SI workers have been terminated from the Australian Labour mobility scheme and will be coming home.
2. A worker is in critical incident after an altercation with his colleague
3. The age requirement for eligible workers have increased from 45 – 55.

We would like to provide the correct information regarding these rumors and information.

Current Update on the following rumors;

1. There was NO mass termination of SI workers in Australia, we have not received any information or report from our Australian partners especially our Scheme Approved Employers on terminations of our workers. Hence, we can confirm that the rumor of a mass termination of our workers in Australia is not correct.
2. There has been an altercation between two of our workers in Qld, Australia resulting in one of the workers getting stabbed however the worker is now discharged from Hospital and will be resuming work soon. The matter is currently under Police investigation hence will have more information once investigations are complete.
3. The current proposal from Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia recently to increase the age limit of workers remains a proposal and is yet to be agreed by the Australian Government. Once the Australian Government makes an official response to that proposal, the Labour Mobility Unit through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide an update to the public.

Noting the amount of public interest in the Labour Mobility programs, we would kindly ask that the public refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation in the public about our workers in Australia or New Zealand. Our workers have families and loved ones here at home and spreading these rumors will only cause unnecessary worry and distress.

The LMU is in direct contact with our Australian partners and any information regarding Policies, welfare concerns or worker issues will be addressed and managed by the LMU and the Australian Government and our partners.

Finally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade continues to advocate and requests potential workers to get their COVID 19 vaccination.

-GCU Press