PM Cautions Against Labour Drain on Samoa’s Economic Stability

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 20 February 2026: The Samoan Government is looking at putting a ceiling on the number of workers to be employed overseas due to the long-term impact of the labour drain on the country’s social and economic development.

At the moment, there are 3,000 Samoan workers employed under Australia’s Labour Mobility Program, 3,000 under New Zealand’s RSE and 1,000 working in American Samoa.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt said there should be a limit on the number of seasonal workers at any one time, as the labour drain is already impacting available labour to develop the country with the availability of the funds through the District Development Project.

The Prime Minister also referred to the multitude of problems the workers are facing with the overseas employers, problems with the law involving drugs, alcohol and marital problems, and about thirty workers lost their lives after being involved in car accidents.

He also said that the Government is reviewing the selection process which has contributed the problems the workers face overseas.

Fair and a Level Playing Field
The Australian Seasonal Workers program started in July 2012 and was later merged with the Pacific Labour Schemes to form PALM in 2022.

The program originally targeted on the unemployed but has since extended recruitment to skilled labour such as teachers and police officers.

Laauli said Cabinet received an updated report on 10 February 2026 on the PALM scheme in Australia.

“The report stated that Australia received AUST$1 billion from the scheme while the Pacific Islands, including Samoa, received 20%.”

Laauli believes that Samoa did not have many options when they signed up for the scheme in 2012. However, he said it is time to consider other aspects to ensure there is a level playing field and fairness for both Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Selection of workers back to Alii ma Faipule
He also confirmed that the selection of suitable candidates for the program now falls on the Alii ma Faipule through the District Development Councils as they provide discipline on their workers while they are employed overseas.

He noted that church and village youth groups have successfully completed the programme, however problems started when the selection shifted to a government ministry and private agents.

“They not only picked who they know, but selected candidates from different villages that caused disciplinary issues when they are in Australia or New Zealand.”

He also noted that some companies asked for previous workers to save on training costs and thus limiting opportunities to others who have been on the waiting list.

“If that happens, then perhaps the best option is to take half of the former workers and half from the new recruits to be fair,” said Laauli.

A Samoan worker working on a banana plantation in Cairns, Australia.

Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV)
This is one of the issues on Samoa’s agenda to be presented to Australia’s Prime Minister if he decides to attend Samoa independence celebration in June.

The PEV was introduced in 2024 as a pathway for seasonal workers to apply for permanent visas to reside with their families in Australia after serving their employment term.

The system circumvents the longstanding difficulties Samoans face in getting visas for short term travel to Australia and New Zealand.

The Prime Minister said PEV should be treated cautiously as it could further aggravate the labour drain in the long-term.

He said people have the right to decide but the Government also has the responsibility to protect her country and people.

“There is nothing wrong with working abroad then return home, but it is a different story when given such offers to entice our people to remain there for good,” he said.

The Samoan Government is now providing funding opportunities through the District Development Councils for village-based development projects to lift the standards of living across the country.

The Prime Minister said the Samoan people should consider if their choice is to serve and help develop the economy of other countries; or would they rather stay and contribute to the development of their own country.