18 Savaii seasonal workers miss flight for New Zealand

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 25th MARCH 2022: Eighteen seasonal workers from Savaii missed their flight to New Zealand last Saturday due to the Covid-19 Alert Level 3 lockdown.

Due to the lockdown, a special ferry trip was arranged to pick up the seasonal workers from Savaii but the ferry arrived late in time for the flights’ departure from the Faleolo international airport.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling told Talamua that the workers from Upolu still managed to leave on the flight.

“But the Savaii workers have been rescheduled to leave on the 29th of this month,” he added.

Pulotu also confirmed that one seasonal worker who did not complete his Covid vaccinations was denied access to leave the country.

Asked whether one of the RSE workers on that trip and who is already in New Zealand will be brought back due to incomplete vaccinations, Pulotu said he is not aware.

“I only know that one of the workers was held back because he didn’t complete his vaccination,” he said.

“One thing we’re pushing for is for the workers to complete their vaccinations because they will be fined if they enter New Zealand without doing so….. that’s for sure,” Pulotu said.