Pacific Islands tourism sector struggling as staff leave under mobility scheme to meet Australia's worker shortage

Sangeeta Maharaj's Eden bistro has been a well-known fixture in Fiji's restaurant scene for locals and tourists for more than a decade. Key points: Hospitality businesses in the Pacific are suffering staff shortages due to an exodus to Australia Staff are leaving under the Pacific mobility scheme which was expanded to hospitality to address Australia's worker shortages There are calls for more support and local training to help local businesses keep up With a high standard of service and reputation to uphold, Ms Maharaj works hard to train her staff. Fantasha Lockington, the CEO of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, said they have always had a cyclical movement of workers going to Australia and New Zealand but it has "simply ramped up". "It's now nine months on and we're experiencing a very positive high season, but one that also coincides with both Australia and New Zealand opening up fully and also requiring workers," she said. A spokesperson from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs said by supporting Pacific workers to develop new skills or upskill it provides a "skills dividend to Pacific countries".