00:00In Darwin's hospitality industry, employers often rely on backpackers for staff.
00:10But it's not ideal, as Darren Lynch knows all too well.
00:14Some people have said they're going to rock up at 10 o'clock for a shift in the morning.
00:17They don't rock up, and then by the time you chase them down there halfway to Perth,
00:20you get them to Kununurra when they're in reception.
00:23Workers from impoverished Timor-Leste have very different priorities.
00:28You can make a lot of money when you go back.
00:31What you want to make your dream come true, yeah.
00:35There's a lot of jobs that Aussies don't want to do,
00:37and these people will do it with a massive smile on their face,
00:40and they'll do it for four years.
00:42So from an employer's perspective, it's absolutely a no-brainer.
00:46Darren partnered with an established labour hire company from Queensland.
00:51We believe this is a fantastic solution to solve that,
00:54where the partner wins, the candidate wins,
00:57and it's just a really mutually beneficial arrangement.
01:00The first six imports went to Darren's waterfront venues.
01:05Housekeeping.
01:06The next eight at a FIFO accommodation centre.
01:10They earn Australian award wages, more in a couple of days than a month back home.
01:16And they're here for at least nine months.
01:19To save money for my retirement, do some business, help my family.
01:23I come here, I work really hard for them, because I love them.
01:27Maddalena's friends in the kitchen also planning for the future.
01:31My objective is whatever I learn from here, I would like to apply in my country,
01:37and also to open my own business, to give more jobs for my people.
01:43These guys just need an opportunity.
01:45Working with the NT Chamber of Commerce, Ronan Mackey,
01:49is tasked with growing the PAM program in the Northern Territory,
01:52and making sure workers are not exploited or trapped in modern slavery.
01:57Let's say labour hire companies out there that are not part of the program,
02:01but saying that they are, and yet taking advantage of some of the workers here in the country.
02:05I'm very aware of the good companies, and the not so good companies.
02:09When I'm looking to source new employers, which is what my role is,
02:12to get out there and try and grow the program within the NT,
02:15well, I look at the good companies.
02:17And with tens of thousands of Timorees ready to fly in,
02:21the NT could soon see a lot more arrivals.
02:24I don't see why we can't grow thousands and thousands of workers here in the NT,
02:28and take advantage of our closest neighbour, Timor-Leste,
02:30who have 51,000 workers, have the supply,
02:33and we definitely have the demand.
02:36Pilot programs are already up and running in childcare,
02:39and Mackey says he wants to explore the potential for placements
02:43in maintenance, trades and mining.
02:46They're talking thousands, tens of thousands of job shortage right now.
02:50And whether it's onshore gas or other industries,
02:52it's going to need more and more people.
02:54So right now we've got a massive undersupply of thousands of people.
02:57When the new industries come on board, it's even going to be more people.
03:00So you need to start now.
03:02Forging closer ties with our closest neighbours,
03:05with the benefits flowing both ways.
03:08c0.
03:12A
03:12O
03:14A
03:16O
03:17Is
03:18O
03:19Is
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