Public Holiday

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, shops selling goods may open during public holidays in accordance with the provisions of the Public Holidays Act 2008.

However, employers have been reminded to comply with section 39 of the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013 in relation to the rate of wages to be paid to employees who work on Public Holidays.

According to Pulotu, the State of Emergency ‘SOE’ Order issued on 20 May 2020 following the coronavirus pandemic is still in effect.

The chamber's president, Jennifer Ula Fruean, has written to the government after an extra day's holiday was announced for Independence Day celebrations this year.

She said 14 days public holiday would have "grave impacts on all businesses" including cash flow challenges due to suddenly removing a trading day.

The chamber said in the government's published list of holidays, 11 days were planned this year which was on a par with neighbouring countries.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has also declared a Public Holiday for the same day in honour Tuiloma who passed away last weekend.

Tuiloma was a Member of the Council of Deputies since February 2016.

He has served as a Member of Parliament for 31 years, representing the Safata District from 1979 to 1995, and as Falealili's Member of Parliament from 2001 to 2015.

He was also a Cabinet Minister for Sports and Culture Affairs and as the Minister for Revenue.

He served in the public service for sixty years.