Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
The Samoa government has decreed that all Samoans working in New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme are to start making superannuation contributions to Samoa's National Provident Fund.
The minister for government enterprises, Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell, announced the move this week after a trip to New Zealand to visit Samoan RSE workers in Hawkes Bay, Nelson, and Tauranga.
Lautafi said RSE workers he spoke with in New Zealand said they supported the move.
He said the contributions will be deducted from their salaries.
"It is another move by the government to ensure that these people when they come out of RSE that they have some money here and that they can loan and they can contribute more so that when they come back before the age of retirement, they can find employment here to continue their contribution.
"Or they can create their own businesses. Which is what we really want. There is life after RSE," he said.
He also said improvement in the selection of workers from Samoa is a priority in order to meet the needs of New Zealand employers.
Lautafi said he was optimistic the New Zealand government will expand the scheme and create more job opportunities for Samoans in Samoa.