Timorese Participants in the Australian Seasonal Workers Programme: Migration, Remittances and Development

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact of migration and remittances through Timor-Leste’s temporary labour migration scheme in Australia through the Australian Seasonal Workers Programme. Timorese seasonal workers’ labour migration to Australia is a crucial part of livelihood strategies. The SWP runs for six months for Timorese workers, and some of them may be invited to return for the next season if employers approve. Their earnings average between USD4,000 and USD8,000 per season, varying with the type of employment and accommodation conditions. Geographic effects of isolation affect workers’ saving strategies in rural Australia. Timorese seasonal workers’ social lives predominantly involve socio-geographic isolation and social segregation in work and accommodation, but this has enabled social support and accumulation of remittances via collective living arrangements. Social media supports social network building and the maintenance of long-distance family ties. Shopping, football and church participation become a means of reducing the stress of physically demanding work in horticulture. Remittances can assist in urbanisation in Dili and consolidate financial capital for economic improvement in seasonal workers’ households. Remittances enable the maintenance of social relationships, balance social and family costs, investment in entrepreneurship, education, and house building. Transferring social remittances is also significant. Work ethics, time management, teamwork, cultural competences, and skillsets such as English language skills, agricultural or hospitality industry knowledge, and communication skills are all a part of social remittances that Timorese workers acquire during their season in Australia. Circular migration between Australia and Timor-Leste has a profound impact on the seasonal workers, their left-behind households, and both societies. Remittances are not altruistic and therefore have minimal effect on development at a national scale. Nevertheless, remittances increase the probability of socioeconomic development when some returned seasonal workers utilise their savings on improving their household economies and then establish entrepreneurial activities in Timor-Leste.