Falealili District Celebrate Seasonal Workers 20 Year Milestone

“In terms of dollars, the program contributed $46 million to Samoa’s economy, and roughly, my calculation would be each worker contributing $60,000 tala to the economy,” – Tuatagaloa Joe Annadale.

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, APIA – 22 June 2024 – The district of Falealili came together Friday to celebrate a 20 years milestone since the establishment of their Seasonal Workers Program in 2004.

Established well before the bilateral talks between Samoa, Australia and New Zealand started on recruiting Samoan workers under the Regional Seasonal Employment (RSE) and Labour Mobility schemes, Falealili under the Poutasi Seasonal Workers Program had already reaped the fruits with direct benefits to families from the program.

Hugh Chief Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale founded the Poutasi Seasonal Workers Program in 2004 and went about ensuring that program benefit families.

The program set conditions to ensure that a worker has a taro patch or a small business to care for his family while he is away overseas for the period of engagement and that he send money over for the upkeep of his family.

Twenty years later, Tuatagaloa joined the district who proudly celebrated the success of the program and the benefits for their families.

Present were the heads of the Australia and New Zealand companies who hire workers from Falealili as well as diplomats representing the governments of New Zealand, Australia, Japan and China.

“This is about showing our respect and honour to those workers who sacrifice so much to come and work for us, and our partnership with Falealili is critical to our business,” said Mr. Apple.

A group working for Mr Apple in New Zealand.

Poutasi Seasonal Program $46m contribution to economy
One of the proudest results of the program is the contribution of the district through the Poutasi Seasonal Workers program to Samoa’s economy.

Tuatagaloa outlined the highlights of the programs’ success.

In the past season, 775 worked in the program; 314 in New Zealand and 461 in Australia.

“In terms of dollars, the program contributed $46 million to Samoa’s economy, and roughly, my calculation would be each worker contributing $60,000 tala to the economy,” said Tuatagaloa.

In comparison to a person working in Samoa for $5 per hour for 40 hours a week, that person earns $10,400 a year.

“It will take 5 years for them to earn what the seasonal workers earns in 8 months,” said Tuatagaloa.

The program was first allocated for district people only, but had since opened to other villages in Samoa.

One group of the returning seasonal workers singing and performing at the celebration.

Minister acknowledge district success
The celebration program started with a parade led by the Police Brass Band with seasonal workers and their families towards the Poutasi Memorial Hall.

The service was led by Reverend Letone Uili of the EFKS church and the keynote address was delivered by the Minister of Communication Information & Technology Toelupe Pou Onesemo who is also the Member of Parliament for Falealii1.

Toelupe acknowledged the success of the program and commended Tuatagaloa and the committee for the initiative and support for the people of Falealili.

“Today we celebrate the program supporting our families, we are here at home celebrating our achievement and other successful stories of, of struggle and hardship and its benefits,” said Toelupe.

After the formalities, the guests also witness the fruits of the fruits of the workers small projects including farm produce, elei and a variety products produced by their village based small businesses.

Then the seasonal workers divided into four groups, took the stage to show their prowess and talent in a variety of entertainment.

Australia’s High Commissioner His Excellency Will Robinson took the opportunity to mingle and spoke with some of the workers in Australia and took pictures with them.

A group who worked in Australia.

Talomua – First Harvest
Also part of the celebration, was the districts Talomua – that showcased the goods provided by the seasonal workers families and the Ministry of Agriculture representative acknowledged the efforts.

He said it was not easy judging the competition but he was impressed with how some of the seasonal workers’ families are investing in cattle farms and plantations rather than in vehicles.

A prize giving followed and certificates presented to all seasonal workers acknowledging their contributions not only to their families and village but to the country’s economy.

According to the committee, each worker received their monetary gifts before returning home.

Another group under the Poutasi Seasonal Workers Program is expected to depart Samoa soon.