Seasonal workers must honour contracts says MCIL CEO

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 27 MAY 2022: The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL), Pulotu Chu Ling is urging seasonal workers to honour the original contracts they signed with their employers in New Zealand and Australia.

This follows reports that some Samoan seasonal employees changed their employers without consulting the Ministry or their employers.

Pulotu told Talamua that the workers can’t just change their employers unless necessary such as issues that arose in Australia’s seasonal work due to Covid-19.

“For seasonal workers in strawberry picking in Australia, our officers were working on finding them jobs elsewhere because their jobs were halted due to Covid-19 outbreak in Australia,” said Pulotu. “And those are the only reasons they can change their jobs but no one is allowed to change their jobs whenever they feel like.”

“If there’s need to change their jobs due to necessary reasons, they need to report back to us and we’re the ones who make the changes.”

Asked whether complaints have been filed from overseas employers of the scheme due to such behaviour, Pulotu said no.

“There aren’t any complaints but the only thing we’re working on now is negotiating with employers overseas because they need proof that we can provide the workers in a timely manner.”

According to Pulotu, Cabinet has approved two seasonal workers’ groups for this month, one for Australia and one for New Zealand.

Pulotu further emphasized to all seasonal workers to honour their contracts they signed before they departed Samoa.

“When you’re granted the chance to go overseas for seasonal work, you must honour the contract you signed with whichever company,” he emphasized.