The Samoa Government is trying to find out how a group of workers were able to depart for New Zealand last Sundayfor seasonal work, while a temporary ban on Regional Seasonal Employment was in place.
Documents, which include flight itinerary for the workers, have been obtained by the Samoa Observer showing that there was travel out of Samoa to New Zealand.
Last month, Cabinet put a temporary stop to the deployment of seasonal workers until it finalizes a policy focusing on the selection of applicants.
The itinerary shows 18 seasonal employees left the country on Sunday, January 15, 2023.
One of the workers from New Zealand said that a senior official with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labor (MCIL) was processing their paper work and travel documents, but is not responding to their calls anymore.
“We tried to reach out to her when we were informed about us being illegally deployed here for work but we heard she is on leave,” he explained.
According to the seasonal worker, their last meeting with the MCIL official before departing the country was held at Sogi, under a coconut tree.
Attempts to seek comments from the MCIL Chief Executive Officer, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, and senior officials on the matter were unsuccessful.
Photo: Samoa Observer
