Pacific / Samoa

Yazaki Samoa workers association to discuss closure benefits

12:35 pm on 13 October 2016

The Yazaki Samoa Employees Association president says the announcement that one of the biggest employers in the country is shutting down did not come as a complete surprise.

Yazaki Samoa, which employs over 700 people, will close its Samoa operations by the end of 2017. Photo: Supplied/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Yazaki Samoa, which employs 740 workers, said it would be closing before the end of 2017.

Yazaki general Manager, Funefe'ai Oliva Vaai, said a final package would be paid out to employees when the closure happens.

But employees who decide to resign beforehand will miss out.

Uelese Tupuola said members of his association and company management are holding discussions on how best to move forward.

"We've always known at the back of our heads that this day will come but we tried to keep an open mind about the result. Starting from now we will be having more conversations and more meetings for any issues they want to raise or what the association thinks or want discuss with the management," he said.

Uelese Tupuola of the Yazaki Samoa Employees Association says employees are trying to keep an open mind about the company's closure. Photo: Supplied/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia