A Tongan woman, previously accused online of alleged abuse toward Tongan seasonal workers in Australia, has reappeared to address renewed criticism.
Accusations of unpaid wages, mistreatment, and verbal abuse of workers—along with vehement denials from the accused—have dominated these online clashes.
Tupou Vaiola Fainu responded to allegations made by Maile Tonga in a livestream viewed by Kaniva News.
Tonga claimed he and fellow workers endured profanity-laden tirades from Fainu and alleged contractor Wilfred Vuna, Fainu’s partner, delayed payments for weeks and failed to provide agreed wages on time.
The conflict erupted when Fainu became enraged after workers complained to their palangi grape farm employer—who had contracted Fainu and Vuna—about unpaid wages.
The owner reportedly said he had already transferred their pay to Vuna and Fainu.
Tonga said they arrived in Australia after responding to Vuna’s Facebook recruitment ad. Upon arrival last month, Vuna picked them up and introduced them to Fainu. They agreed to stay at Fainu’s house rent-free, though it’s unclear if this was formalised in writing.
Payment Disputes
Tonga claimed that when he asked Vuna about wages, he was told to borrow from Fainu and repay her later.
“We just wanted our pay,” Tonga said in an emotional livestream, adding they had initially agreed with Vuna for independent housing but relented to Fainu’s request.
Employers’ Rebuttals
Fainu denied all allegations, accusing Tonga of lying. Vuna also dismissed the claims on Facebook before deleting his post.
In her livestream, a visibly angry Fainu called Tonga a “dog” and “dumb,” defending her provision of free housing, transport, and food to help workers save earnings.
She accused Tonga of failing to appreciate her offers of free housing, meals, and a work vehicle.
She admitted Vuna agreed to pay the workers per block but claimed she was unaware of this arrangement, stating the norm was payment only after full completion.
She also confirmed the farm owner contacted her about the wage complaints, but did not disclose her response.
Visa Compliance Questions
Fainu alleged Tonga’s Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) visa, while valid, prohibited work for unauthorised contractors like herself.
Dr Sione Vaka, Tonga’s SWP liaison officer in Australia, told Kaniva News the complaint wasn’t raised with him, as it involved a private contract between Tonga, Fainu, and Vuna.
He clarified SWP visa holders must work only for their approved sponsor.
Historical Context
The clash follows a January 2023 livestream where Leilani Faingaa, a former SWP worker, accused Fainu of mistreatment, using the Tongan term anga’imanu (“animal-like”) to describe her behaviour towards workers.
Fainu later countered Fainga’a in a streamed video seen by Kaniva News, asserting she owned two farms and was not a contractor.
She said her online critics were harassing her while she was trying to make a living.
These disputes align with an ABC recent report on ongoing SWP issues, including wage theft and poor conditions.
Australia’s DFAT told the ABC it is “listening” and working to improve the scheme.
