The Samoa Government will move to limit the number of people deployed for seasonal work overseas because of the labor drain and people engaging in criminal activity.
Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt said yesterday that seasonal workers have been charged for all sorts of crimes, and are setting a bad reputation for Samoa.
He pointed out that 30 people have died while on seasonal work in Australia and New Zealand.
Laauli also said many nurses, teachers and police officers have resigned from their jobs and went under the schemes.
The labor drain has also impacted the tourism sector.
“The government has now established new policies where the district will choose the person to be sent. The government also intends to limit the number of workers at this time. The figures provided by the departments are 3,000 to New Zealand, 3,000 to Australia, and 1,000 to American Samoa,” said the PM.
He added that measures are needed to reduce the number of our people going overseas, because there are no workers left to serve the country.
La’aulialemalietoa said the selection of seasonal workers will be given to the Fono Faavae under the control of village councils in each constituency.
“This is to make sure that the right people who deserve to be on this program are selected,” he added.
The Prime Minister cited a report presented to cabinet on Tuesday which showed Australia earned AU$1 billion from the seasonal work schemes, while only 20 percent is going to the Pacific.
Source: Samoa Observer
