Fight threatens Samoan women chances in Australia’s labour mobility program

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA -10 JANUARY 2022:  Employment for Samoan women in the labour mobility program in Australia could be jeopardized following a fight between two female workers that was caught on camera and went viral on social media.

The video showed one of the women walking into a room and attacked the other who was in bed after questioning her about spreading gossip.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Labour Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling told Talamua that this latest incident of women fighting over gossip could have an impact on Samoan women’s chances for these overseas employment opportunities in the future.

“The impact could be tragic for women who wish to participate and develop their families through the program,” he said.

Pulotu confirmed an investigation into the latest and other incidents and once done, all those involved in these incidents and complaints will be returned home.

Prior to the video, an investigation was already underway on another woman who was carrying and slipped through the program and recently gave birth to a baby in Australia.

Since the program does not cover babies, the baby has been adopted by the woman’s relative in Australia.

It is not the first time a pregnant woman has travelled to Australia for work under the program, and according to Pulotu, they will all be returned home.

The program will also look at streamlining health screening of potential workers to avoid pregnant women and other workers with serious health conditions that surfaced on arrival in Australia and created extra costs to the Samoan government for their medical treatment.