Seasonal worker advocates complain of unfair money transfer fees

For thousands of Pacific Islanders working in Australia, sending money home every payday is part of their normal routine, but it comes at a cost as a transfer fee is charged on each transfer.

There are growing calls for the Australian government to step in and do something to reduce the high cost of sending money home.

“It affects the material gains that their families make, considering the working conditions that these seasonal workers endure in Australia, and how much they have to save and send home,” said Simon Lewis of the Australian International Development Network.

“This is about helping to cover some of those costs and expenses so they can support their families back home and recognising the very important support they provide to our economy in Australia,” he added.