Modern ‘Blackbirding’? by Malachi Doyle. “PALM scheme The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a temporary migration program which allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from nine Pacific islands and Timor-Leste when there are not enough local workers available. Through the PALM scheme, Pacific and Timor-Leste workers take up a range of short term (up to 9 months) and long-term job opportunities (one to four years) in low and semi-skilled positions, enabling them to develop skills and send income home to support their families and communities. PALM scheme workers are required to depart Australia to encourage them to reconnect with their families and communities. This is for three months following the conclusion of a short-term placement and six months following the conclusion of a long-term placement. … Participating Countries: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanu...