Ten Samoans on the New Zealand Recognized Seasonal Workers Scheme have been expelled for various reasons that include theft, smoking marijuana and extra marital affairs.
In a statement last evening, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said not only have the workers been banned from the scheme, their villages have also been blacklisted until further notice.
This means no more workers from these villages will be allowed to go on the scheme.
“Time and again, I have personally advised all our RSE workers before leaving to remember the importance of their seasonal employment engagement because it’s their families, children and their villages which are reaping the fruits of their hard labor,” said Tuilaepa.
The village of Poutasi, Falealili, which has been a success story in the past with RSE workers is now blacklisted because three workers from there were involved with alcohol induced criminal activity.
Other villages under suspension from the scheme include Matautu, Falealili; Gagaifolevao, Lefaga; Fasito’otai; Satuimalufilufi; Moata’a; Tuaefu and Neiafu, Savai’i.
At least four workers have been expelled for extramarital affairs, one even went AWOL to follow a married woman to Auckland but has since returned to Samoa.
The statement said that close to 3,000 Samoans are benefiting from the two seasonal workers programs with New Zealand and Australia. 2,500 are working in New Zealand and the rest are employed in Australia.
Tuilaepa said, “This action serves as a reminder and a deterrent to seasonal workers that are disobedient and show any undesirable behavior which will compromise more jobs for Samoans, that they will be weeded out without hesitation.”
