Big Ideas We asked for workers and got people — inside the temporary visa scheme putting food on your plate
Jun 4, 2025
Join Kaya Barry, a cultural geographer focusing on seasonal migrants, and Nunes Cosbar, a Timorese musician on a PALM visa, as they dive into the unseen experiences of temporary workers in Australia. They discuss the emotional challenges and aspirations faced by these workers in agriculture, alongside Ken Dachi and Ema Vueti, who advocate for community connections. Explore the complexities of the PALM scheme, including exploitation, family separations, and the cultural contributions that enrich rural communities.
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Long-Term Struggles of Seasonal Workers
- Seasonal workers often spend many years in Australia on short contracts without forming lasting relationships or feeling settled.
- One worker wished for citizenship after over a decade of fruit picking, showing emotional and social challenges.
Economic Benefits but Visa Challenges
- The Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) scheme brings economic benefits but imposes strict visa conditions.
- Workers live in limbo, facing exploitation risks and uncertainty cycling between two countries.
Worker's Multifaceted Life and Support
- Nunes Cosbar, a Timorese worker, performs multiple farm jobs and stays connected to music and culture despite demanding schedules.
- His employer supports his artistic pursuits, highlighting a respectful worker-employer relationship.