Samoa First Union

Employers are feeling the economic strain caused globally by the covid-19 pandemic, especially in Samoa's all-important tourism and hospitality sector.

Samoa First Union's senior organiser, Seveaoga Saina Tomi-Setu, said with about 70 hotels closing across the country, an increasing number of jobs were being lost.

She said employers needed to engage staff in more than just verbal discussions when it concerned losing their work hours.

Saina Tomi said this is due today.

Ms Tomi said despite the devastation to tourism caused by the coronavirus and measles crises, people are resilient and able to fall back on traditional practices for support.

She said she doesn't know of any Samoan who does not have access to family plantations for food or the ocean for fish. 

Ms Tomi said the country has the essentials to get by and is grateful for the early closing of the border.

A statement from Samoa First Union said it supports the Fiji Trades Union Congress, its affiliated unions and Fiji workers 100%.

“We understand that Fiji workers, like us in Samoa, are also pushing for an increase in their minimum wage.”

“We understand that Felix Anthony, General Secretary of the Fiji Trade Union Congress along with leaders from the Fiji Teachers Association, the Fiji Nurses Association, the Fiji Nurses Union and the National Union of Workers were arrested yesterday,” SFU said.

Sapolu joined a vocal group of supporters of the Free West Papua Movement in a peaceful protest this morning outside Sheraton Aggie Greys Hotel in Apia, which is the venue of the 48th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit.

“We have to stand up because if we don’t, no one will. Let us talk about the freedom for the indigenous people of West Papua, of all Pacific islands, Unasa told journalists.

Sapolu joined a vocal group of supporters of the Free West Papua Movement in a peaceful protest this morning outside Sheraton Aggie Greys Hotel in Apia, which is the venue of the 48th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit.

“We have to stand up because if we don’t, no one will. Let us talk about the freedom for the indigenous people of West Papua, of all Pacific islands, Unasa told journalists.