Health Screening of Seasonal Workers Questioned

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 16 DECEMBER 2021: The death of a Samoan woman who recently travelled to work in Australia under the Recognized Seasonal Workers Scheme has raised questions on the health screening process of these workers in Samoa before they are approved to depart to work under the program.

The woman died while in quarantine two weeks after arriving in Australia and a post mortem is expected to be conducted to determine the cause of death.

However, the woman’s family is against a post mortem.

“Australia will only release the body after a post mortem is conducted,” explained Lemalu Nele Leilua, the Assistant Chief Executive Officer for Labour Export & Employment Division of the Ministry of Commerce Industry & Labour (MCIL).

One of the criteria that must be complied by all applicants for a working opportunity under the scheme, is a clear health report that they do not have any permanent illnesses.

The recent death of a worker employed under the scheme has questioned the health screening process of the applicants and how they were cleared as fit to be allowed to work.

Some of the workers who left last Saturday at check in.

Worker with kidney problems
Last year, a young man left with a group of seasonal workers to Australia and on arrival, was taken directly to the hospital where he remained.

He had kidney problems and the Australian Government paid for the surgery while the Samoan Government paid all travel and accommodation expenses for his brother who travelled to Australia as the kidney donor.

There is also a young woman whose pregnancy was not noted in the doctor’s report but only became known when she recently gave birth to a healthy baby in Australia.

“Negotiations are underway whether to return the woman or not,” Lemalu told Talamua.

The former Minister for MCIL, Lautafi Selafi Purcell told the media then that a good system must be put in place for the screening of all applicants thoroughly to avoid future incidents.

Screening & X-Ray a must
Lemalu said Australia has an open policy when it comes to health screening of applicants while New Zealand has a very strict system. Both countries accept screening reports from private doctors.

“New Zealand not only asks for a medical report but also insists that all applicants provide an X-ray,” said Lemalu.

Demand for seasonal workers increase
Meanwhile, the demand for more workers from Australia and New Zealand is increasing and last Saturday, 179 left for New Zealand with more teams expected to leave in January, February and March 2022.

Lemalu said for January alone they are looking at 5 trips and she and her team will be busy recruiting more workers to cater for the demand during the festive season.

The majority of the workers who left last Saturday were for Mr. Apple’s company and a company at Hawkes Bay.