Moving to another country for work is a challenge for even the experienced traveler.  Imagine the challenges faced by the peoples from the island nations around Australia as they come here to supply the labour so desperately needed on our farms.   Not only do these people, from places like Vanuatu and Timor-Leste, miss their families and communities, there is so much they need to learn to be able to live easily within the Australian culture. 

In the Bundaberg Region, Geoffrey and Jane Smith of the Living Word Church have been providing pastoral care to these farm workers for more than a decade.  Now with the support from ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking of Humans) and the Qld ACRATH Coordinator, Sr Janine Bliss fmm are working to provide practical supports for seasonal workers.  The Bundaberg Project is somewhat unique in providing pastoral care support drawing on the cultural knowledge of Geoffrey and Jane, and the hands on support eg showing workers how to use kitchen items like fridge, freezer etc, assisting with medical appointments, work related issues, as well as welfare and wellbeing issues.  Geoffrey and Jane provide pastoral care as volunteers, and work demanding hours.  They are passionate and committed that the slave conditions from the blackbirding period, are not repeated today with seasonal workers.  ACRATH plays an important role in support and advocacy.  Many of the issues experienced in Bundaberg are national issues affecting seasonal workers.

Many of the problems experienced by the workers could have been lessened if adequate information was offered at the initial induction.  Due to workers having just arrived, their lack of English, and complexity of some of the information, often times the workers do not understand the information shared.  Often it is later, and once a relationship with the Pastoral Care Workers has developed that specific information is needed.  To address this, one of the projects being developed is an Information Pack that can be distributed soon after arrival that will make life so much easier both for the workers, and the farmers who have sponsored them.  When these workers arrive on the farm, the farmer offers them an induction into things like workplace safety, pay slips, taxation and superannuation.  But so much more is needed ongoing. The scope of the challenges faced by these people can be gleaned from some of the items already on the list for the pack.

The seasonal workers need to know:

• The best phone plans for them to be able to contact their families.
• How to get internet access. 
• The location of the shops
• The location of the churches.
• That they must follow Australian law, for example, in regards to getting a driver’s license and following our road rules.  They also need to be aware of laws regarding drug and alcohol use.  And the need to respect sexual equality, ‘No means No’.  (Currently the Australian Federal Police and ACRATH are drawing up a pamphlet/s for this pack.)
• What medical support is available to them, and understanding what their health insurance covers. 

The list goes on.  With such information in one pack, a worker will be able to readily access the information they may need, when they need it.  And hopefully, it will help to access services that may be beyond such a pack.  These packs need to be culturally sensitive and written in the language of the people coming to Australia.  The pack will include initial information needed, and develop information according to needs arising from the workers.  So it will be an ongoing venture.

Recently the High Commissioner for Vanuatu, Samson Vilvil Fare, visited Bundaberg to connect with his community and discern their needs.  He is now liaising with the leaders of the other countries from which these workers come so that working with the Australian Government and the farming community, this ongoing labour project can become a win-win situation for both our Australian people and the peoples of our neighbouring islands. 

The information being put together will be useful for others in the region, and other states.  If you are aware of seasonal workers in your area, interested in finding out more information, or considering being involved with connecting with seasonal workers, please contact Sr Janine (details below).  We really are stronger when we work together.

The overall Bundaberg Project is an innovative project within Australia, providing practical Pastoral Care to seasonal workers.  One of our responses is the development of the Information Pack, and is no small task.  Not only does a variety of information need to be collated, translated and designed, it also needs to be distributed.  And it costs.  If you would like to help by donation, or assist with design ideas, IT suggestions, etc please contact Sr Janine on 0412 185 026 or by email qldcoordinatoracrath.org.au.

As a catholic community, it is important to note that there is an increase in seasonal workers from Timor Leste arriving in the region.  These workers are predominantly Catholic, and staunch Catholic, they would appreciate a Catholic connection and outreach.  This is a relatively new development.  Again if you are involved already, or would like to develop a response please contact Sr Janine who is happy to connect with members of the Catholic communities in the region.