Minister Clarifies Temporary Closure of Seasonal Workers Scheme

By Lagi Keresoma

Editors Note:
We have made a correction to this story as under the sub heading Australia and New Zealand ask to slow down, we missed the word “not” in the original story, as these two countries do not want the program closed. We regret the error.

APIA, SAMOA – 05 MAY 2022: The Minister responsible for the Seasonal Workers Scheme, Leatinu’u Wayne Sooialo, clarified in Parliament yesterday that the program is only closed temporarily in order to review and identify ways to remedy the problems that have tarnished the program’s good reputation.

Debating the Labour & Employment Relations Amendment Bill, several Opposition MPs expressed their concern in their belief that Government had closed the program completely and they highlighted the importance of the program in developing families and the country’s economy and urged the Government to reconsider their decision.

In response, Leatinu’u assured Parliament and the country that the program has not been closed completely and explained the rationale behind the Government’s decision.

“The closure of the program is only temporary so we could review it and identify ways to remedy the problems that have tarnished the program’s good reputation,” he said.

He said people only see the benefits of the program but do not realize the many problems which have impacted families of those under the program.

He said in the period from 2020 to 2021, more than ST$600 million was received through remittances from seasonal workers and families abroad. “And with such a figure, why close it?” the Minister pointed out.

Currently, 8000 Samoans are working under the Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme in New Zealand and the Labour Mobility program in Australia.

“It is a good program considering the revenue we received through remittances,” he said.

However, he emphasized the Government cannot sit idly by and enjoy these remittances while the actions of some of the workers under the scheme abroad is affecting the program and families in Samoa.

“Government has no intention to close the program but to review it so it has a solid foundation to move the programme forward and into the future,” he said.

The review is part of the Labour & Employment Relations Amendment Bill currently with the Bills Committee for investigations before referring it back to Parliament for the third reading.

Samoa RSE workers on a farm in New Zealand.

Problems
Leatinu’u said the targeted audience meant for the RSE program since its establishments in 2013 were for the unemployed. However, that is not the case anymore as more people had resigned from good jobs to join the program.

One of the problems though involves married men or women under the program.

“A married person cannot join the program unless their spouses sign a consent document to allow them to go,” said Leatinu’u.

There have been instances of the same spouse turning up at the office in tears asking to retract her agreement on the basis that the husband had taken a new wife in New Zealand or Australia leaving her behind with their 6 children.

Other problems include:

• fights being between Samoan workers filmed by other colleagues and posting them on social media;
• alcohol;
• a woman having a child making it hard for her to continue working;
• using the seasonal working visa to find another job.

Australia & New Zealand ask to slow down
Leatinu’u said Australia and New Zealand do not want the program closed but have asked the Government to slow down.

“We have 3 to 4 flights a month to take our seasonal workers abroad hence the request to slow down,” said Leatinu’u.

A group of RSE workers in prayer at the airport before departing for work in Australia.

Currently 3500 workers have finished their contracts under the RSE program that should return home.

Going forward, Leatinu’u hopes for solid solutions and he acknowledged the issues raised as true and the recommendations presented as a way forward.

One of the areas Leatinu’u said can be considered was for the 51 electoral districts to select their own workers for the process.

He noted that the process has its own flaws especially with the recruiting of successful candidates.

Some of the applicants waited three years for a chance whilst a person that just applied immediately gets the job opportunity.

Over 200 workers returning for breaching their contracts
Leatinu’u said there are more than 200 seasonal workers returning to Samoa soon after breaching the conditions of their contracts.

There is a flight specifically chartered to fly them over together. He also said 18 of them have had a child while working abroad.

These are some of the problems Leatinu’u wished to address and find solutions to hence the establishment of a Review Committee with members drawn from the following Ministries and entities.

• Ministry of Commerce Industry & Labour – Chair

• Ministry of Women & Community & Social Development

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Ministry of the Prime Minister & Cabinet

• Office of the New Zealand High Commission

• Office of the Australian High Commission

• International Labour Organisation

• Samoa Chambers of Commerce

• Samoa Association of Manufacturers & Export

• Samoa Hotels Association

• Samoa National Council of Churches

• Poutasi Trust Falealili

• Samoa Workers Congress

The Review Committee starts its work next week.