Faamanu came to Australia under the Pacific Labour Scheme. Now he has cancer but no health cover

A man who came to Australia under the Pacific Labour Scheme has been left with no health insurance after being diagnosed with life-threatening cancer because he can no longer work.

Key points: Faamanu Faamanatu entered Australia on the Pacific Labour Scheme but soon fell ill He has leukemia and doctors at St Vincent's hospital say he needs an urgent stem cell transplant operation Mr Faamanatu's health insurance lapsed after he stopped working due to his illness Faamanu Faamanatu, a 24-year-old from Samoa, came to Australia a few months ago to work at an abattoir in New South Wales.

He arrived as a worker on the Pacific Labour Scheme, a visa program that allows workers from the Pacific Islands to temporarily work in Australia.

Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-19/man-in-australia-on-pacific-labour-scheme-facing-cancer/12779824