Cabinet Special Committee to monitor equitable RSE management

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 22 SEPTEMBER 2022: Cabinet has established a Special Committee to work alongside the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour in overseeing an impartial distribution of employment opportunities through the Recognized Seasonal Employment scheme.

This follows Cabinet’s discussions of issues of concern arising out of the Samoan seasonal employees such as impact on separated families and the impact on the country of the loss of manpower overseas.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio, said MCIL and the newly appointed committee will distribute the RSE employment opportunities equitably to all deserving applicants.

“We’ve seen an increasing number of overseas companies interested in employing our people for these opportunities but Cabinet will still need to mind-map this thoroughly so our families and impact on our communities and country and our manpower,” Tuala said.

Meanwhile, Cabinet has approved one RSE flight each for New Zealand and Australia on a monthly basis starting this month.

One RSE flight departed Samoa yesterday for New Zealand under the new changes and selected RSE employees will be employed in the agricultural and livestock labour sector.