Asylum seekers detained in the family and single women camp on Nauru have begun peaceful protests, Guardian Australia has been told by eyewitness sources.
The protests began on Tuesday afternoon and carried on into the evening with a group of around 30 Somali women detained in OPC3, which holds 193 children, holding placards with slogans including, “we want freedom”, “no future for us or our children”, and “we want justice”.
Children were also taking part in the peaceful protest, Guardian Australia has been told.
It is understood that representatives from the Nauruan government visited the camp on Wednesday to talk to the asylum seekers on protest, but that the peaceful protests were planned for the next week.
“The mood is tense, although the centre is still on low risk,” a Nauru source said.
The government of Nauru have begun resettling asylum seekers on temporary visas on Nauru, where according to the most recent statistics the unemployment rate is 90%.
It is understood that no single adult women detained on Nauru have been resettled.
A number of refugee advocates said they had not been informed of the peaceful protests.
Guardian Australia has also obtained a leaked Nauruan government document with instructions to resettled refugees on Nauru.
It informs them that refugees have work rights and that the Nauru government will encourage them to set up small businesses “if this business does not already exist in Nauru”.
Under a section marked “How much will I get paid?” the response states: “The minimum wage in Nauru is $2.50 per hour for unskilled labour. How much you will get paid will depend on your level of skill and qualifications.”
The document shows resettled refugees have access to medical care on Nauru but will be expected to contribute to medication costs.
Immigration minister Scott Morrison was contacted for a response on the eyewitness accounts of protests, but has not responded.