Tonga’s sunny shores are a dream destination for many, but for local businesses, it’s a scary scene of empty chairs and idle equipment. Thousands of Tongans are flocking to Australia and New Zealand under seasonal worker schemes, lured by higher wages and better opportunities. This exodus, while positive for individual Tongan workers, is creating a critical labour shortage, crippling the Tongan economy.
The allure of the schemes is undeniable. Working in fruit farms and meatpacking plants, Tongans can earn significantly more than what’s on offer domestically. This injects much-needed cash into Tongan households, but it comes at a cost. Local businesses, from Chinese retail shops to construction companies, are struggling to find staff. Projects are delayed, services are disrupted, and some businesses are even forced to close their doors.
The Tongan government is caught in a bind. The remittances sent back by seasonal workers are a vital source of income for the nation. However, the long-term consequences of a hollowed-out workforce cannot be ignored. The lack of skilled labour hinders economic diversification and innovation, and being reliant on remittances is at the mercy of international economic pressures.
This situation highlights the complex power dynamics at play in the Pacific. Australia and New Zealand benefit from a readily available, cheap labour force to fill gaps in their own economies. However, concerns are being raised about the potential exploitation of Tongan workers and the long-term impact on Tongan development.
But all is not gloom and doom. We could still try to mitigate the damage done so far by giving the local workforce a better chance to compete for higher-paying jobs at home through practical training and ensuring that working conditions through better wages, benefits, and career development opportunities are not withheld. That may win them back from fleeing abroad.
Tonga’s current situation is a stark reminder of the need for a more balanced approach to development in the Pacific. While seasonal worker schemes offer immediate benefits, they shouldn’t come at the expense of long-term prosperity for the country.
