Seasonal workers scheme

The Samoa Observer reports the changes will allow district offices to select workers to join the seasonal programmes in Australia or New Zealand.

Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo said currently village agents deal with the seasonal work companies, rather than the Government, and this was causing problems.

The signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding, (M.O.U.) with village mayors from Upolu will take place tomorrow (Monday) at the STA Samoan Fale at 11:30am.

Signing ceremonies for Savai’i will be at the Apita o Pisaga next week Tuesday at 10:00am.

The M.O.U., according to the M.P.M.C’s Chief Executive Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo is designed to represent the governments and the Samoan seasonal workers best interest in protecting the employment program for Samoans to work overseas on a temporary basis.

The Samoa Tuna Processors plant in Pago Pago partially shut down last month, leaving nearly 1,000 staff - the bulk of whom are from neighbouring Samoa - out of work.

RNZ reports Samoa's prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said New Zealand's government recently removed the cap on Pacific Island workers under the scheme, and farmers are calling for more workers.

Tuilaepa also said new factory and hotel developments in Samoa had vacancies.